Program Analysis
At $79,865 per year, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Dayton earn slightly above the $72,288 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
At 4.7x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.
The 18% 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 $22,999 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
A #125 ranking among 158 Chemical Engineering programs places University of Dayton in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 25% earnings increase from $79,865 to $99,917 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.