Chemistry at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
58
Optimistic
57
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,482/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 22.2x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #105 of 205 Chemistry programs

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 $651K $642K $572K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.6x 22.2x 19.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.3x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 57 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,856
Out-of-state: $87,504 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,980
-104% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,102
83% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $35,482/yr, Chemistry graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte land near the $41,256 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.2x 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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $35,482 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #105 of 205 Chemistry programs, University of North Carolina at Charlotte falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $65,102 show a 83% jump from the $35,482 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of North Carolina at Charlotte

With 80% of applicants admitted, University of North Carolina at Charlotte prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 23,567 in Charlotte, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
This program scores 57/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemistry programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $572,054 in decade earnings vs $651,120 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →