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Chemistry at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,531/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 8.8x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #154 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 $567K $562K $515K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.9x 8.8x 8.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.3x 3.2x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 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)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (3.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,004
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,750
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,345
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Michigan State University's Chemistry program produces graduates earning $39,531/yr — within striking distance of the $41,256 national average for this field.

At 8.8x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,750 debt-to-$39,531 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #154 out of 205 programs, Michigan State University's financial outcomes for Chemistry trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $39,531 to $57,345 shows 45% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Michigan State University

A 84% acceptance rate means Michigan State University is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 40,243 in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan 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 Michigan State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($86,192) Computer Engineering ($83,934) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,874) Mechanical Engineering ($80,259) Chemical Engineering ($79,023) Materials Engineering ($78,276) Engineering-Related Fields ($76,563) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,081)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Michigan State University's Chemistry program score?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Chemistry. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Chemistry to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →