Chemistry at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,813/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.4x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #162 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 $600K $594K $538K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.5x 10.4x 9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.9x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,092
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,054
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,768
67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Wayne State University's Chemistry program produces graduates earning $35,813/yr — within striking distance of the $41,256 national average for this field.

The 10.4x 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 — 47% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,054 debt-to-$35,813 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #162 out of 205 programs, Wayne State University's financial outcomes for Chemistry trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $35,813 to $59,768 over five years (67% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Wayne State University

A 82% acceptance rate means Wayne State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 15,676 in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne State University →

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

Chemistry at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wayne State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wayne State University's Chemistry program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Chemistry. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Chemistry to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →