Chemical Engineering at University of Massachusetts - Amherst
MA · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 14.07
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Chemical Engineering degree from University of Massachusetts - Amherst earn a median salary of $101,184 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in MA, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $68,275. The degree typically pays for itself in 3.5 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where bachelor's graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$84,067
Typical Career
$101,184
Top Performers
$121,161
Estimated break-even: 3.5 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$675
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $8,432. Most students can comfortably afford about a $675 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 2.6x more than the average US high school graduate and 1.3x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Massachusetts buys what costs $1.48 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for bachelor's graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$68,275
Nominal: $101,184 in Massachusetts (COL 148.2% of national avg) · 32.5% lower purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $53,158 | $74,267 | $86,956 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $84,067 | $101,184 | $121,161 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $101,945 | $135,513 | $162,009 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $101,184 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in MA, which has a cost-of-living index of 148.2% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $101,184 × (1.0 ÷ 1.4820)
= $68,275 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The top industries for graduates include Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (20.0%), Health Care & Social Assistance (16.6%), and Educational Services (12.3%). The estimated break-even point for graduates compared to those with only a high school diploma is approximately 3.5 years, suggesting a favorable return on investment for those pursuing this degree. Overall, while the financial benefits are evident, prospective students should consider the cost of living in Massachusetts when evaluating the long-term value of their education.
AI-assisted editorial analysis based on Census PSEO data. Fact-checked against source data.
Compare with Another School
See how the Chemical Engineering degree at University of Massachusetts - Amherst stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.
Ready to apply?
Start your application for Chemical Engineering at University of Massachusetts - Amherst.