Chemical Engineering at Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
73
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $77,586/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 18.3x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #44 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 $906K $865K $746K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.1x 18.3x 15.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.3x 8.8x 7.6x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 73 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,408
Out-of-state: $97,804 (8.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$80,284
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,232
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,061
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Texas Tech University's Chemical Engineering graduates start at $77,586/yr — above the $72,288 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.3x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $27,232 in median debt clears quickly against $77,586 in annual earnings.

At #44 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, Texas Tech University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $77,586 to $96,061 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Texas Tech University

A 71% acceptance rate means Texas Tech University is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 32,446 students in Lubbock, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas Tech 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 Texas Tech University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at Texas Tech University?
This program scores 73/100 — 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 $746,257 in decade earnings vs $905,750 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →