Chemical Engineering at Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
75
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $82,217/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 19.3x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,021K $970K $823K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.4x 19.3x 16.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.5x 7.1x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 75 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,144
Out-of-state: $135,776 (7.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,588
-91% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,604
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$108,040
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Auburn University's Chemical Engineering graduates start at $82,217/yr — above the $72,288 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 19.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,604 in median debt clears quickly against $82,217 in annual earnings.

A #9 ranking out of 158 Chemical Engineering programs nationally puts Auburn University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $82,217 to $108,040 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Auburn University

Auburn University's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 25,732 in Auburn, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at Auburn University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Chemical engineers $121,860/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Compare Chemical Engineering

Other Majors at Auburn University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Auburn University's Chemical Engineering program score?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Auburn University's Chemical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Chemical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →