Chemistry at Wichita State University

Wichita, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,740/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 15.7x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #51 of 205 Chemistry programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $591K $585K $532K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.9x 15.7x 14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.6x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,288
Out-of-state: $76,960 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,104
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,312
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,822
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,740 at Wichita State University come in 6% above the national median of $41,256 for Chemistry programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.7x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,312 represents roughly 7 months of the $43,740 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #51 of 205 nationally, this is a top-5% Chemistry program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $43,740 to $61,822 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Wichita State University

Wichita State University accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 10,493 in Wichita, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Wichita State University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Chemistry at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at Wichita State University?
A score of 62/100 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 $531,558 in decade earnings vs $591,182 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Wichita State University's Chemistry program stand out?
Ranked #51 of 205 programs nationally, Wichita State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →