Chemistryat Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Graduates earn $45,513/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $647K; scenarios range from $576K to $657K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Virginia Tech
First-year earnings of $45,513 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University come in 10% above the national median of $41,256 for Chemistry programs.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemistry programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Chemistry's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $22,875 represents roughly 6 months of the $45,513 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #73 of 205 Chemistry programs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $70,473 show a 55% jump from the $45,513 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
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 Virginia Tech'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 Chemistry
How Virginia Tech stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Virginia Tech
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Virginia Tech, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Chemistry offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Chemistry at Virginia Tech
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
A score of 61/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Chemistry field.
Will AI replace Chemistry careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $576,136 in decade earnings vs $657,162 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.