Chemical Engineering at Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
74
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $70,797/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 40.0x earnings multiple (12.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #20 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $950K $905K $776K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 42.0x 40.0x 34.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.6x 12.0x 10.3x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 74 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)
$22,624
Out-of-state: $75,144 (12.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,988
-94% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,311
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$98,253
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $70,797/yr, roughly in line with the $72,288 national median for Chemical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 40.0x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $70,797 far exceeding the $23,311 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #20 of 158 nationally, this is a top-5% Chemical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $70,797 to $98,253 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Florida State University

Florida State University accepts 25% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, one of the larger campuses at 31,812 students in Tallahassee, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at Florida State 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at Florida State University?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Chemical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $775,512 in decade earnings vs $949,825 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Florida State University's Chemical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #20 of 158 programs nationally, Florida State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →