Chemical Engineering at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
66 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
67
Optimistic
66
Base Case
63
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,072/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 9.9x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #108 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Chemical Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $887K $849K $734K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 9.9x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.3x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 67 66 63

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$86,096
Out-of-state: $159,560 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$120,296
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,750
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$93,213
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $73,072/yr, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus land near the $72,288 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

A 9.9x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $24,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #108 ranking among 158 Chemical Engineering programs places University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 28% earnings increase from $73,072 to $93,213 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus accepts 50% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 20,189 students in Pittsburgh, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Chemical engineers $121,860/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 66/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemical Engineering at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?
At 66/100, the score looks reasonable — but Chemical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Chemical Engineering at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →