Chemical Engineering at Widener University

Chester, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,160/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 4.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #139 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 $957K $912K $780K
Earnings Multiple 4.5x 4.3x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$214,552
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$121,880
43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$99,021
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $71,160 track close to the $72,288 national median for Chemical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

An earnings multiple of 4.3x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Chemical Engineering's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

At $27,000 in median debt against $71,160 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #139 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, Widener University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $71,160 to $99,021 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Widener University

Widener University has a 84% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 2,765 students in Chester, PA. The average net cost of $121,880 over four years represents a 43% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Widener University →

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 Widener University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at Widener University?
This program scores 60/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Chemical Engineering careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $780,421 in decade earnings vs $957,220 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →