Program Analysis
At $62,907/yr, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of New Mexico-Main Campus land near the $72,288 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
With a 26.0x 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.
The median debt load of $19,775 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
A #68 ranking among 158 Chemical Engineering programs places University of New Mexico-Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
A 43% earnings increase from $62,907 to $89,830 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.