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Chemistry at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,870/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 11.9x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #141 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 $499K $498K $469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.9x 11.9x 11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,199
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,870 at Iowa State University come in 6% above the national median of $41,256 for Chemistry programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.9x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $43,870 far exceeding the $20,199 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #141 of 205 Chemistry programs, Iowa State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 25,033 in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa 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

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 Iowa State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,913) Computer Engineering ($79,182) Computer Science ($78,517) Construction Engineering ($77,845) Chemical Engineering ($76,184) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($75,036) Industrial Engineering ($74,310) Mechanical Engineering ($72,900)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Iowa State University?
This program scores 51/100 — 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 $468,964 in decade earnings vs $498,536 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →