Chemical Engineering at New York University

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
59
Optimistic
57
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $60,392/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 4.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #149 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 $1,072K $1,015K $856K
Earnings Multiple 4.4x 4.2x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 57 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$241,752
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$140,140
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,125
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$104,085
72% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $60,392 per year, Chemical Engineering graduates from New York University earn below the $72,288 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 4.2x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $24,125 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #149 out of 158 programs, New York University's financial outcomes for Chemical Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $60,392 to $104,085 over five years (72% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About New York University

With just 9% of applicants admitted, New York University ranks among the nation's most selective schools, one of the larger campuses at 29,430 students in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $140,140 over four years — 42% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at New York 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

Other Majors at New York University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does New York University's Chemical Engineering program score?
A score of 57/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but New York University trails the majority of Chemical Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.
Why are Chemical Engineering earnings lower at New York University?
Lower starting pay at New York University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →