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Chemical Engineering at Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $55,154/yr (-24% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)

ROI 4.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #148 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	$1,348K	$1,265K	$1,040K
Earnings Multiple	4.9x	4.6x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	82%	74%	54%
DegreeOutlook Score	59	57	57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$276,180

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$80,592

71% less than sticker · See by income

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$120,085

118% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $55,154 place Columbia University in the City of New York below the $72,288 national median for Chemical Engineering — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

An earnings multiple of 4.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 23% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #148 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, Columbia University in the City of New York falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $120,085 show a 118% jump from the $55,154 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Columbia University in the City of New York

Columbia University in the City of New York's 4% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, enrolling 8,899 students in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $80,592 over four years — 71% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia University in the City of New York →

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 Columbia University in the City of New York

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at Columbia University in the City of New York?

This program scores 57/100 — 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 $1,039,940 in decade earnings vs $1,348,235 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Chemical Engineering from Columbia University in the City of New York?

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.

Is Columbia University in the City of New York a hidden gem for Chemical Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $80,592 over four years — 71% below the $276,180 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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