Analysis
Notre Dame's Chemical Engineering program lands graduates in the top 5% nationally for earnings, yet within Indiana it's surprisingly middling—this is the only state program that out-earns it. That's less about Notre Dame underperforming and more about Indiana's exceptional chemical engineering ecosystem, particularly with Purdue and Rose-Hulman nearby.
The fundamentals are extremely solid: $83,000 starting salary climbing to nearly $97,000 by year four represents 16% growth, and the $19,000 median debt is roughly $4,000 below the state average. That 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates need less than three months of salary to cover their entire debt load—assuming they're among the majority graduating with that typical debt burden rather than none at all. The 12% admission rate and high SAT scores suggest this is already a self-selected group of high achievers, which likely contributes to the strong outcomes.
For families concerned about prestige versus value, this is where Notre Dame's brand adds clear financial advantage. While it's not the highest-earning chemical engineering program in Indiana, it delivers elite-level national outcomes with below-average debt. The real question is whether your student can gain admission to those competitor schools at similar cost—if they're already in at Notre Dame, this program represents a safe bet with strong upward earnings trajectory.
Where University of Notre Dame Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemical engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Notre Dame 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame | $83,377 | $96,794 | +16% |
| Rice University | $87,830 | $108,850 | +24% |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | $82,394 | $89,329 | +8% |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | $81,105 | $85,260 | +5% |
| Trine University | $72,875 | $83,801 | +15% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Chemical Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (4 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Notre DameNotre Dame | $62,693 | $83,377 | $96,794 | $19,000 | 0.23 |
 Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyTerre Haute | $56,674 | $82,394 | $89,329 | $24,500 | 0.30 |
 Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette | $9,992 | $81,105 | $85,260 | $21,500 | 0.27 |
 Trine UniversityAngola | $35,600 | $72,875 | $83,801 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
| 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 University of Notre Dame, approximately 12% 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 80 graduates with reported earnings and 84 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.