Analysis
Illinois Tech's chemical engineering program starts graduates nearly $10,000 below the national median at $64,526—trailing not just elite Northwestern and Illinois Urbana-Champaign, but also landing in the bottom fifth nationally. Within Illinois, where five schools offer this degree, it ranks at the 40th percentile, sitting closer to UIC's outcomes than to the state's stronger programs. The $26,747 debt load is relatively manageable, but when you're earning significantly less than peers from comparable programs, even modest debt takes longer to overcome.
The 34% earnings growth to $86,454 by year four offers some reassurance that graduates eventually reach competitive territory. This suggests the program's technical foundation is solid enough for career progression—just slower out of the gate. For a family considering Illinois Tech's tuition against state flagships where aid packages might differ, that initial earnings gap matters. You're potentially leaving $13,000 on the table in year one compared to Urbana-Champaign graduates.
The calculation here is straightforward: if Illinois Tech offers substantially better financial aid or fits your student's learning style better than alternatives, the program will get them to respectable chemical engineering earnings eventually. But purely on outcomes, there are stronger options within Illinois that cost similarly and start careers on firmer financial footing.
Where Illinois Institute of Technology Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemical engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Illinois Institute of Technology graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Institute of Technology | $64,526 | $86,454 | +34% |
| Rice University | $87,830 | $108,850 | +24% |
| Northwestern University | $80,709 | $100,444 | +24% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $77,440 | $93,416 | +21% |
| University of Illinois Chicago | $58,377 | $77,771 | +33% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Chemical Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (5 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago | $51,763 | $64,526 | $86,454 | $26,747 | 0.41 |
 Northwestern UniversityEvanston | $65,997 | $80,709 | $100,444 | $16,500 | 0.20 |
 University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign | $16,004 | $77,440 | $93,416 | $22,850 | 0.30 |
 University of Illinois ChicagoChicago | $14,338 | $58,377 | $77,771 | $23,875 | 0.41 |
| National Median | — | $72,974 | — | $23,250 | 0.32 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with chemical engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Chemical Engineers
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
Photonics Engineers
Robotics Engineers
Nanosystems Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Illinois Institute of Technology, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 37 graduates with reported earnings and 38 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.