Analysis
Chemical engineering programs in Texas cluster tightly around $85,000 in first-year earnings, and UTSA's estimated outcomes align squarely with that state median. What's striking is that comparable programs at Rice, UT Austin, and Texas A&M—schools with far more selective admissions—show remarkably similar earnings outcomes. For a family choosing UTSA over more competitive alternatives, this data suggests the career payoff may differ less than the admissions profiles would imply.
The estimated $20,000 debt load would be manageable against these earnings projections, producing a debt-to-income ratio well below concerning thresholds. Chemical engineering graduates typically command strong starting salaries regardless of where they earn their degree, and peer programs in Texas suggest UTSA students would enter the workforce with less debt than the national median for this field. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, UTSA serves a different population than the flagship schools while apparently delivering comparable market outcomes.
The caveat: these figures are estimates drawn from similar Texas programs, not verified outcomes for UTSA graduates specifically. The small or suppressed sample size means we can't confirm whether UTSA's program actually delivers on the state pattern. If your child is choosing between UTSA and a program with reported data, that uncertainty matters—but if they're admitted to UTSA and not the flagships, the estimated numbers suggest a solid return on investment.
Where The University of Texas at San Antonio Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemical engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Chemical Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (10 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio | $8,991 | $85,322* | — | $20,019* | — |
 Rice UniversityHouston | $58,128 | $87,830* | $108,850 | $13,178* | 0.15 |
 The University of Texas at AustinAustin | $11,678 | $87,365* | $95,916 | $19,844* | 0.23 |
 Lamar UniversityBeaumont | $8,690 | $87,284* | $107,127 | $20,019* | 0.23 |
 Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station | $13,099 | $86,176* | $105,292 | $18,135* | 0.21 |
 University of HoustonHouston | $9,711 | $84,468* | $87,883 | $20,000* | 0.24 |
| 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 The University of Texas at San Antonio, approximately 42% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.