Chemical Engineering at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
75
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $78,183/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 24.1x earnings multiple (8.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #14 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 10%

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 $996K $947K $806K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 25.4x 24.1x 20.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.4x 8.9x 7.6x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 75 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,260
Out-of-state: $106,320 (8.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,004
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$104,589
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $78,183 at Mississippi State University come in 8% above the national median of $72,288 for Chemical Engineering programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 24.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemical Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Chemical Engineering's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $78,183 far exceeding the $22,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #14 of 158 programs, Mississippi State University's Chemical Engineering program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $78,183 to $104,589 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 18,092 students in Mississippi State, MS.

See all programs and financial aid at Mississippi State 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

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Compare Chemical Engineering

Other Majors at Mississippi State University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at Mississippi State University?
This program scores 75/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Chemical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Chemical Engineering careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $806,025 in decade earnings vs $995,798 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →