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Chemical Engineering at University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
63 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
64
Optimistic
63
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $83,377/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 4.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #120 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 $1,073K $1,016K $857K
Earnings Multiple 4.3x 4.1x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 63 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$250,772
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$111,292
56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,750
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$113,065
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $83,377 per year, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Notre Dame earn slightly above the $72,288 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 4.1x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 20% 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 $16,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #120 ranking among 158 Chemical Engineering programs places University of Notre Dame in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 36% earnings increase from $83,377 to $113,065 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Notre Dame

With just 12% of applicants admitted, University of Notre Dame ranks among the nation's most selective schools, serving 8,923 students in Notre Dame, IN. The average net cost of $111,292 over four years represents a 56% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Notre Dame →

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 Notre Dame

Finance and Financial Management Services ($99,222) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,517) Mathematics and Statistics, Other ($89,689) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,861) Mechanical Engineering ($84,999) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($83,810) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($81,057) Management Information Systems and Services ($78,507)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 63/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemical Engineering at University of Notre Dame?
At 63/100, 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 Notre Dame?
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.
What do students actually pay for Chemical Engineering at University of Notre Dame?
The 56% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $250,772. At a net cost of $111,292, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →