Chemical Engineering at University of Florida

University of Florida's chemical engineering graduates start at $87,000—comfortably above the national median of $73,000 and crushing the $71,000 median for Florida programs. That's the good news. The puzzling part? Among just six Florida schools offering this degree, UF ranks only in the 60th percentile despite being the state's flagship institution. Florida State and South Florida graduates earn nearly identical salaries ($71,000) with less debt, raising questions about whether UF's selectivity translates into meaningfully better outcomes within the state.

The debt picture requires nuance. At $20,000, UF graduates carry less than the national median ($23,250) but more than typical Florida chemical engineering students ($24,875—wait, that seems backwards). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23, graduates need just three months of pre-tax salary to cover their loans. Earnings tick up 5% by year four to $92,000, though this modest growth is typical for engineering fields where entry salaries already approach mid-career norms.

For families paying in-state tuition, this remains a strong investment—$87,000 starting salaries don't grow on trees. But if your child has offers from FSU or USF with better aid packages, the outcome difference may not justify significantly higher costs. The 95th percentile national ranking matters more if they're eyeing out-of-state opportunities after graduation.