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Chemical Engineering at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $45,164/yr (-38% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)

ROI 34.4x earnings multiple (12.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #111 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs

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	$1,016K	$965K	$819K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	36.2x	34.4x	29.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	13.4x	12.8x	10.8x
Probability of Field Employment	82%	74%	54%
DegreeOutlook Score	66	65	66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,032

Out-of-state: $75,552 (12.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$35,724

-27% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,248

4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$91,493

103% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Long Beach's Chemical Engineering graduates start at $45,164/yr, trailing the $72,288 national average by 38%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 34.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemical Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Chemical Engineering's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,248 in median debt clears quickly against $45,164 in annual earnings.

Ranked #111 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, California State University-Long Beach falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $91,493 show a 103% jump from the $45,164 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Long Beach

California State University-Long Beach's 47% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 34,131 students enrolled in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →

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

Other Majors at California State University-Long Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at California State University-Long Beach?

This program scores 65/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Chemical Engineering careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $819,174 in decade earnings vs $1,015,607 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Chemical Engineering from California State University-Long Beach?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →