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Chemical Engineering at University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
68
Optimistic
67
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,377/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.2x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #101 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Chemical Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $914K $873K $751K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.9x 15.2x 13.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.8x 7.4x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 68 67 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)
$57,352
Out-of-state: $117,440 (7.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,252
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$90,756
55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Illinois Chicago's Chemical Engineering graduates start at $58,377/yr, trailing the $72,288 national average by 19%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 15.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,500 in median debt clears quickly against $58,377 in annual earnings.

A #101 ranking among 158 Chemical Engineering programs places University of Illinois Chicago in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $58,377-to-$90,756 earnings arc over five years reflects a 55% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Illinois Chicago

A 78% acceptance rate means University of Illinois Chicago is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 21,814 students in Chicago, IL. With 50% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Chicago →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Chemical engineers $121,860/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 158 schools offering Chemical Engineering →

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Rice University ($87,830) The University of Texas at Austin ($87,365) Lamar University ($87,284) University of Florida ($87,164) Texas A & M University-College Station ($86,176) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($85,945) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($85,847) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($85,772)

Other Majors at University of Illinois Chicago

Computer Science ($78,040) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,045) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($72,926) Computer Engineering ($71,148) Mechanical Engineering ($69,871) Civil Engineering ($69,310) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($65,781) Accounting and Related Services ($65,680)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemical Engineering at University of Illinois Chicago?
At 67/100, the score looks reasonable — but Chemical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Chemical Engineering at University of Illinois Chicago?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of Illinois Chicago a good choice for Chemical Engineering despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of Illinois Chicago's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →