Chemical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $78,369/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 14.1x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #66 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $842K $808K $704K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.7x 14.1x 12.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.4x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,112
Out-of-state: $126,712 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,092
4% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,750
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$89,985
15% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $78,369 at Missouri University of Science and Technology come in 8% above the national median of $72,288 for Chemical Engineering programs.

The 14.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $78,369 far exceeding the $23,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #66 out of 158 programs, Missouri University of Science and Technology's Chemical Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $78,369 to $89,985 over five years (15% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri University of Science and Technology accepts 73% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 5,467 in Rolla, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Missouri University of Science and Technology →

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 Missouri University of Science and Technology

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Missouri University of Science and Technology's Chemical Engineering program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Missouri University of Science and Technology's Chemical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Chemical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% 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 →