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Chemistry at CUNY Hunter College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
52
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,340/yr (-29% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 24.1x earnings multiple (11.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #133 of 205 Chemistry programs

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 $726K $712K $622K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.6x 24.1x 21.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.8x 11.6x 10.1x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 52 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,528
Out-of-state: $61,328 (11.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$9,784
67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,071
132% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $29,340/yr fall 29% below the $41,256 national median for Chemistry. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 24.1x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

At $9,000 in median debt against $29,340 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #133 of 205 Chemistry programs, CUNY Hunter College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $68,071 show a 132% jump from the $29,340 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About CUNY Hunter College

With a 54% acceptance rate, CUNY Hunter College is moderately selective, enrolling 16,642 students in New York, NY. With 55% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $9,784 over four years — 67% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Hunter College →

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

Compare this program → View all 205 schools offering Chemistry →

Chemistry at Other Schools

Northeastern University ($62,511) University of California-Berkeley ($59,576) Montclair State University ($55,389) Bridgewater State University ($55,376) University of Delaware ($54,055) Rowan University ($53,607) Towson University ($52,765) State University of New York at Oswego ($52,645)

Other Majors at CUNY Hunter College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($103,692) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($86,173) Computer Science ($76,747) Accounting and Related Services ($54,617) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($49,245) Mathematics ($48,918) Public Health ($47,444) Social Work ($42,227)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at CUNY Hunter College?
This program scores 52/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemistry programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $622,459 in decade earnings vs $725,722 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Chemistry from CUNY Hunter College?
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 CUNY Hunter College a hidden gem for Chemistry?
After financial aid, the average student pays $9,784 over four years — 67% below the $29,528 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 →