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Chemistry at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,913/yr (-44% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 18.3x earnings multiple (9.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #173 of 205 Chemistry programs

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 $737K $723K $630K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.7x 18.3x 16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.2x 9.1x 7.9x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,436
Out-of-state: $79,756 (9.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$26,000
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,837
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,154
176% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's Chemistry graduates start at $22,913/yr, trailing the $41,256 national average by 44%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 18.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemistry career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $10,837 in median debt clears quickly against $22,913 in annual earnings.

A #173 ranking among 205 Chemistry programs places The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $22,913-to-$63,154 earnings arc over five years reflects a 176% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

A 85% acceptance rate means The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 27,026 in Edinburg, TX. 64% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $26,000 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley →

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

Compare this program → View all 205 schools offering Chemistry →

Chemistry at Other Schools

Northeastern University ($62,511) University of California-Berkeley ($59,576) Montclair State University ($55,389) Bridgewater State University ($55,376) University of Delaware ($54,055) Rowan University ($53,607) Towson University ($52,765) State University of New York at Oswego ($52,645)

Other Majors at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($77,619) Mechanical Engineering ($60,924) Computer Engineering ($57,841) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($56,421) Music ($56,373) Civil Engineering ($54,182) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($49,910) Social Sciences, General ($47,248)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemistry at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Chemistry programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Chemistry at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley a good choice for Chemistry despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →