Chemistry at Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,488/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #66 of 205 Chemistry programs Top 50%

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 $599K $592K $537K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.9x 19.6x 17.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.0x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 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)
$30,164
Out-of-state: $98,148 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,948
-119% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,894
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,601
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $40,488/yr, roughly in line with the $41,256 national median for Chemistry. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.6x 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 $23,894 represents roughly 7 months of the $40,488 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #66 of 205 Chemistry programs, Appalachian State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $61,601 show a 52% jump from the $40,488 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 19,304 in Boone, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Appalachian 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 Appalachian 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 $536,717 in decade earnings vs $598,817 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →