Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.
Analysis
Chemical engineering programs in Texas cluster tightly around $85,000-$87,000 in starting salaries, and UT Tyler's estimated outcomes land right in that range. Based on comparable programs across the state, graduates here appear competitive with those from Rice, UT Austin, and Texas A&M—all commanding similar first-year earnings. The estimated $20,000 debt load is actually slightly lower than both the state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 that suggests strong financial fundamentals for this field.
The caveat worth noting: because UT Tyler's program is small enough that the Department of Education suppresses its actual graduate outcomes, these figures represent what similar chemical engineering programs in Texas typically produce rather than verified results from this specific school. That said, the consistency across Texas programs—where even elite institutions show remarkably similar starting salaries—suggests the state's petrochemical industry creates relatively standardized demand for new chemical engineers regardless of where they earned their degree.
For parents evaluating this option, the combination of accessible admission standards (92% acceptance rate) and peer-program earnings that rival flagship universities presents an interesting value proposition. If your child can handle the rigorous coursework, this appears to be a pathway into a high-paying field without the debt burden or competitive admissions of Texas's most selective engineering schools. Just recognize you're making this decision based on state patterns rather than this program's track record.
Where The University of Texas at Tyler 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,920 | $85,322* | — | $20,019* | — | |
| $58,128 | $87,830* | $108,850 | $13,178* | 0.15 | |
| $11,678 | $87,365* | $95,916 | $19,844* | 0.23 | |
| $8,690 | $87,284* | $107,127 | $20,019* | 0.23 | |
| $13,099 | $86,176* | $105,292 | $18,135* | 0.21 | |
| $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 Tyler, approximately 38% 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.