Home › Louisiana Tech University › Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
64
Optimistic
62
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,157/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 19.7x earnings multiple (11.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #123 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 $832K $799K $697K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.5x 19.7x 17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.3x 11.8x 10.3x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 62 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,500
Out-of-state: $67,464 (11.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$48,836
-21% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,342
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $79,157 at Louisiana Tech University come in 10% above the national median of $72,288 for Chemical Engineering programs.

With a 19.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $79,157 far exceeding the $18,342 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #123 ranking among 158 Chemical Engineering programs places Louisiana Tech University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech University accepts 73% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 7,819 students in Ruston, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at Louisiana Tech 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

Compare this program → View all 158 schools offering Chemical Engineering →

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Rice University ($87,830) The University of Texas at Austin ($87,365) Lamar University ($87,284) University of Florida ($87,164) Texas A & M University-College Station ($86,176) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($85,945) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($85,847) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($85,772)

Other Majors at Louisiana Tech University

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($74,863) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($71,994) Mechanical Engineering ($70,372) Computer Science ($68,023) Industrial Engineering ($65,739) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($62,384) Civil Engineering ($61,868) Construction Engineering Technologies ($58,151)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University?
At 62/100, the score looks reasonable — but Chemical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Chemical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →