Chemical Engineering at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Norman, OK · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $77,751/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 21.2x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #27 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 $849K $814K $709K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.1x 21.2x 18.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 7.6x 6.6x
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)
$38,380
Out-of-state: $106,660 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,652
-81% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,013
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$90,597
17% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus's Chemical Engineering graduates start at $77,751/yr — above the $72,288 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 21.2x 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 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $24,013 in median debt clears quickly against $77,751 in annual earnings.

Ranked #27 out of 158 programs, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus's Chemical Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $77,751 to $90,597 over five years (17% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

A 77% acceptance rate means University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is accessible to most applicants, with 21,496 students enrolled in Norman, OK.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus →

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

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus's Chemical Engineering program score?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus's Chemical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Chemical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus rank so high for Chemical Engineering?
The #27 ranking out of 158 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →