Chemical Engineering at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,624/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 17.7x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #74 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $940K $896K $769K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.6x 17.7x 15.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.3x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,572
Out-of-state: $167,988 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$53,940
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,054
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,353
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $67,624 track close to the $72,288 national median for Chemical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 17.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $17,054 in median debt against $67,624 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #74 ranking among 158 Chemical Engineering programs places University of Washington-Seattle Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 42% earnings increase from $67,624 to $96,353 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Washington-Seattle Campus

With a 43% acceptance rate, University of Washington-Seattle Campus is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 31,588 students in Seattle, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Washington-Seattle 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 71/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemical Engineering at University of Washington-Seattle Campus?
At 71/100, 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 Washington-Seattle Campus?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →