Chemical Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $55,333/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #155 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 $742K $718K $638K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.7x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$193,684
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$96,084
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,043
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $55,333 per year, Chemical Engineering graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn below the $72,288 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

At 3.7x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #155 ranking among 158 Chemical Engineering programs places Milwaukee School of Engineering in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 36% earnings increase from $55,333 to $75,043 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee School of Engineering accepts 60% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 2,607 in Milwaukee, WI. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $96,084 — 50% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering →

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

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Milwaukee School of Engineering

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 51/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemical Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering?
At 51/100, 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering?
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.
Is Milwaukee School of Engineering a good choice for Chemical Engineering despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Milwaukee School of Engineering's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Chemical Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering?
The 50% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $193,684. At a net cost of $96,084, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →