Chemistry at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,588/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #89 of 205 Chemistry programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Chemistry graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $596K $590K $535K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.7x 14.5x 13.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 8.1x 7.3x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,576
Out-of-state: $72,832 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,268
-26% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,499
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,703
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,588 track close to the $41,256 national median for Chemistry programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemistry programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Chemistry's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,499 represents roughly 7 months of the $41,588 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #89 of 205 Chemistry programs, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $41,588 to $61,703 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 9,878 students in Chattanooga, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Chemistry at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
A score of 59/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Chemistry field.
Will AI replace Chemistry careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $534,980 in decade earnings vs $596,243 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →