Chemical Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado's chemical engineering programs cluster tightly together, and CU Boulder sits squarely in the middle—essentially tied with Colorado School of Mines at graduation but pulling ahead by year four. That 32% earnings jump to $93,146 suggests this degree opens doors that keep widening, a pattern worth noting in an engineering field where many graduates plateau earlier. At the 60th percentile statewide, it's not dramatically outperforming local alternatives, but it's holding its own against Mines, traditionally the engineering powerhouse in the state.

The $24,500 debt load is exactly average for Colorado chemical engineering programs and just slightly above the national median. More importantly, that 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates earn their debt back in roughly four months—a comfortable margin by any standard. First-year earnings of $70,359 trail the national median slightly, but that gap closes fast as careers progress.

For Colorado families, this is a solid in-state option that delivers competitive outcomes without the premium debt you might expect from a flagship university. The 83% admission rate makes it accessible, and the moderate debt combined with strong mid-career earnings creates a workable financial path for most families. You're not getting a discount on outcomes, but you're not paying a premium either.