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Chemical Engineering at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $81,777/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 17.9x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #23 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $860K $824K $716K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.7x 17.9x 15.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.1x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,281
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,423
13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $81,777 at University of Maryland-College Park come in 13% above the national median of $72,288 for Chemical Engineering programs.

With a 17.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $81,777 far exceeding the $22,281 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

University of Maryland-College Park ranks #23 among 158 Chemical Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $81,777 to $92,423 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About University of Maryland-College Park

A 45% admission rate makes University of Maryland-College Park accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 30,246 students in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

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 Maryland-College Park

Computer Science ($99,756) Computer Engineering ($95,847) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,500) Engineering, Other ($80,931) Mathematics ($79,129) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,631) Civil Engineering ($76,731) Mechanical Engineering ($76,485)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemical Engineering at University of Maryland-College Park?
At 74/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Chemical Engineering at University of Maryland-College Park?
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 Maryland-College Park one of the best schools for Chemical Engineering?
Among 158 Chemical Engineering programs, University of Maryland-College Park's #23 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →