Chemical Engineeringat Washington University in St Louis
Graduates earn $69,801/yr in their first year — about 3.0% below the national Chemical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $719K; scenarios range from $639K to $744K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Washington University in St Louis
Your WashU Chemical Engineering degree signals a rigorous, top-tier education. While the university's overall reputation is stellar, the St. Louis regional economy, while strong in biosciences and agriculture tech (think Bayer/Monsanto), isn't a primary hub for heavy chemical manufacturing that often drives the highest entry-level chemical engineering salaries. This can mean initial career paths might lean more towards research, development, or niche applications like biomaterials or environmental engineering, which often have different early-career salary trajectories compared to traditional process engineering in industries like petrochemicals.
However, a WashU degree opens doors nationally. You'll benefit from a strong alumni network and a curriculum that emphasizes foundational science and problem-solving, preparing you for diverse roles. To maximize your earning potential, actively seek internships beyond St. Louis in your preferred industry sector and leverage the university's research opportunities to specialize in high-demand areas.
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 Washington University in St Louis'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 Washington University in St Louis stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Washington University in St Louis
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Washington University in St Louis, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Chemical Engineering at Washington University in St Louis
What does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemical Engineering at Washington University in St Louis?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Chemical Engineering programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Chemical Engineering at Washington University in St Louis?
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.
What do students actually pay for Chemical Engineering at Washington University in St Louis?
The 65% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $251,928. At a net cost of $88,468, the earnings multiple improves substantially.