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Chemistry at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,204/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #49 of 205 Chemistry programs Top 25%

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 $777K $760K $657K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.7x 12.5x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.1x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,988
Out-of-state: $184,096 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,152
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,776
94% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Davis's Chemistry program produces graduates earning $42,204/yr — within striking distance of the $41,256 national average for this field.

The 12.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,000 in median debt clears quickly against $42,204 in annual earnings.

Ranked #49 out of 205 programs, University of California-Davis's Chemistry program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $42,204 to $81,776 over five years (94% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Davis

University of California-Davis's 42% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 31,777 students in Davis, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Davis →

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 University of California-Davis

Computer Engineering ($96,418) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($84,343) Engineering, General ($82,956) Mechanical Engineering ($75,231) Civil Engineering ($75,165) Materials Engineering ($74,110) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($71,633) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($68,419)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Davis's Chemistry program score?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Chemistry graduates.
How vulnerable is Chemistry to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-Davis rank so high for Chemistry?
The #49 ranking out of 205 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →