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Physical Sciences · Chemistry Rank #51 of 205

Chemistryat Wichita State University

Graduates earn $43,740/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $585K; scenarios range from $532K to $591K depending on AI disruption.

Wichita, KS Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
62 SOLID
63
Optimistic
60
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,740
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$585K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Wichita State University

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.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$532K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple14.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$585K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple15.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$591K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score63/100
Earnings Multiple15.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Wichita State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Chemistry graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
4
Computer occupations, all other
+8.2% 10-yr growth · 31,300 openings/yr
$108,970/yr
High
5
Physics teachers, postsecondary
+2.5% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$97,360/yr
Moderate
6
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
+2.9% 10-yr growth · 700 openings/yr
$87,710/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Chemistry

How Wichita State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
61
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
University of California-Berkeley
CA · Public
64
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
10.0x
ROI
Montclair State University
NJ · Public
56
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
8.4x
ROI
Bridgewater State University
MA · Public
72
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
17.2x
ROI
University of Delaware
DE · Public
66
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
11.0x
ROI
Also at Wichita State University

Other top programs at Wichita State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Wichita State University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Chemistry at Wichita State University

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.