Chemical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Georgia Tech's chemical engineering program places graduates in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings—a $13,000 premium over the typical chemical engineering grad—while keeping debt well below national norms. First-year earnings of $85,847 against $27,000 in debt creates one of the strongest financial starts available in this field, with graduates owing just 31 cents on every dollar earned.

Here's the wrinkle: Georgia Tech is the only school in the state offering this major, which means the state percentile data simply reflects Georgia Tech's own performance rather than comparison to other in-state options. The real story is how this stacks up nationally, and the answer is clear—this program outperforms 95% of chemical engineering programs nationwide. The 16% admission rate reflects the selectivity required to access these outcomes.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth rather than explosive gains, but chemical engineers already start near six figures. At this debt level and earnings power, graduates can manage loans comfortably while building wealth. For families who can navigate the competitive admissions process, this represents chemical engineering training at the highest caliber with a price tag that won't derail financial plans. The return on investment is straightforward: elite outcomes without elite debt.