Chemical Engineeringat University of Southern California
Graduates earn $68,234/yr in their first year — about 6.0% below the national Chemical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,002K; scenarios range from $846K to $1,057K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Southern California
While USC boasts an elite reputation, the earnings profile for Chemical Engineering graduates here often reflects the unique dynamics of the Los Angeles job market. This region isn't a traditional hub for heavy chemical manufacturing, meaning graduates frequently leverage their analytical and problem-solving skills in diverse sectors like biotech, materials science, environmental engineering, and even entertainment tech. Your degree from a top-tier institution like USC, coupled with its powerful alumni network, prepares you for interdisciplinary roles that bridge traditional engineering with cutting-edge applications specific to Southern California's economy. These specialized, often innovative, positions may command different salary structures than those in traditional manufacturing hubs. Given the high AI risk in the broader field, actively pursuing internships that align with these evolving local industries and considering minors or specializations will be crucial to maximizing your unique career trajectory.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Southern California's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Chemical Engineering
How University of Southern California stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Southern California
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Southern California, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Chemical Engineering at University of Southern California
How does University of Southern California's Chemical Engineering program score?
A score of 58/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but University of Southern California trails the majority of Chemical Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Chemical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Chemical Engineering at University of Southern California after financial aid?
Sticker price is $272,948, but the average net cost is $127,708 — a 53% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.