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Chemistry at University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,872/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)

ROI 16.0x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #126 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	$633K	$625K	$560K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.2x	16.0x	14.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.5x	5.4x	4.9x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	54%	38%
DegreeOutlook Score	54	53	55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,992

Out-of-state: $115,088 (5.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$70,100

-80% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,570

7.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$62,909

80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,872 per year, Chemistry graduates from University of Arkansas earn below the $41,256 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.0x 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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,570 represents roughly 8 months of the $34,872 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #126 of 205 Chemistry programs, University of Arkansas falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $62,909 show a 80% jump from the $34,872 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Arkansas

With 72% of applicants admitted, University of Arkansas prioritizes broad access, with 27,312 students enrolled in Fayetteville, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arkansas →

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 University of Arkansas

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at University of Arkansas?

This program scores 53/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemistry programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $560,024 in decade earnings vs $633,313 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Chemistry from University of Arkansas?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →