Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $63,886 track close to the $72,288 national median for Chemical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The 23.2x 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 — 48% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
At $20,927 in median debt against $63,886 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
Ranked #51 out of 158 programs, University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Chemical Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth from $63,886 to $101,365 over five years (59% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.