Chemistry at Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
57
Optimistic
56
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,496/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.4x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #111 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 $554K $550K $506K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.5x 9.4x 8.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.6x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 56 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,512
Out-of-state: $83,280 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,384
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,239
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,685
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $46,496 at Grand Valley State University come in 13% above the national median of $41,256 for Chemistry programs.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.4x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $46,496 far exceeding the $23,239 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #111 of 205 Chemistry programs, Grand Valley State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $46,496 to $57,685 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 19,073 in Allendale, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Grand Valley State University →

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

Chemistry at Other Schools

Other Majors at Grand Valley State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at Grand Valley State University?
This program scores 56/100 — 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 $506,205 in decade earnings vs $553,656 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →