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Chemistry at University of Houston

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $50,717/yr (23% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #6 of 205 Chemistry programs Top 5%

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	$675K	$664K	$588K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.4x	17.1x	15.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.6x	7.5x	6.6x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	54%	38%
DegreeOutlook Score	70	70	66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,844

Out-of-state: $88,764 (7.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$55,412

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$12,500

3.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$74,603

47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Houston's Chemistry graduates start at $50,717/yr — above the $41,256 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.1x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,500 in median debt clears quickly against $50,717 in annual earnings.

At #6 of 205 nationally, this is a top-5% Chemistry program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $50,717 to $74,603 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Houston

University of Houston's 70% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 37,175 students in Houston, TX. With 41% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Houston →

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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at University of Houston?

This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Chemistry nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

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 $588,352 in decade earnings vs $675,245 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Houston's Chemistry program stand out?

Ranked #6 of 205 programs nationally, University of Houston lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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