Analysis
Oregon State's Cascades campus delivers competitive chemical engineering outcomes at a price point that makes sense. With first-year earnings of $71,618 and debt around $24,750, graduates face a manageable debt burden—just 35% of their starting salary. That's better than three-fifths of chemical engineering programs nationally when it comes to debt load, meaning your child won't be house-poor paying off loans.
The numbers tell a straightforward story: earnings sit right at Oregon's median for chemical engineering and just slightly below the national average, while debt remains contained. The 11% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests solid career progression. Given that only two Oregon schools offer this major, the Cascades campus holds its own against the main OSU campus in Corvallis, posting identical median earnings.
The moderate sample size warrants mention—outcomes reflect 30-100 graduates, not thousands—but the fundamentals are sound. Your child gets an engineering degree that pays from day one without crushing debt, in a growing tech corridor. For families weighing cost against career prospects, this program delivers the core promise of chemical engineering: strong starting salaries and clear returns on investment.
Where Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemical engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Oregon State University-Cascades Campus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University-Cascades Campus | $71,618 | $79,686 | +11% |
| Rice University | $87,830 | $108,850 | +24% |
| University of California-Berkeley | $81,553 | $108,067 | +33% |
| University of Pennsylvania | $81,721 | $107,816 | +32% |
| Oregon State University | $71,618 | $79,686 | +11% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon
Chemical Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (2 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBend | $12,594 | $71,618 | $79,686 | $24,750 | 0.35 |
 Oregon State UniversityCorvallis | $13,494 | $71,618 | $79,686 | $24,750 | 0.35 |
| 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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus, approximately 28% 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 97 graduates with reported earnings and 94 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.