WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+6% vs national median1,767 grads tracked

Chemical Engineering at Purdue University

Ranked 10th of 65 bachelor's programs in Chemical Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$88,056
middle 50%: $72,134 – $103,737
Median · 5 years out
$110,221
middle 50%: $89,469 – $133,630
Median · 10 years out
$136,336
middle 50%: $108,159 – $175,199

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Chemical Engineering (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Purdue University's bachelor's program in Chemical Engineering earn a median $88,056 one year after graduating, rising to $136,336 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 6% above the national median of $104,343 for this field, ranking 10th of 65 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
3.6 yrs
≈ $3,790 total interest

Same major at other universities

Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$120,095 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$116,759 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana Tech University
$114,843 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$114,357 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University
$113,771 · 5 yrs out
Colorado School of Mines
$112,328 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$109,958 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$108,167 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
$107,201 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$106,913 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$106,531 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Institute of Technology
$106,251 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Purdue University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$141,828 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Doctorate)
$122,253 · 5 yrs out

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