Program Analysis
At $59,508 per year, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of California-San Diego earn below the $72,288 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.
With a 15.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 19% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $18,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
A #98 ranking among 158 Chemical Engineering programs places University of California-San Diego in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The $59,508-to-$97,911 earnings arc over five years reflects a 65% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.