Chemical Engineering at University of South Alabama

South Alabama's chemical engineering program produces graduates earning $71,116 in their first year—slightly below the national median but notably above the state median of $69,809. More importantly, these graduates see strong earnings growth to $88,406 by year four, and they're carrying just $24,500 in debt. That 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than five months of their starting salary, which positions them well to handle loan payments while building savings.

Within Alabama's five chemical engineering programs, South Alabama ranks in the middle tier. It trails Auburn's $82,217 starting point but significantly outperforms UAH and Tuskegee. For students seeking an ABET-accredited chemical engineering degree without the more competitive admission standards of Auburn or Alabama, this represents a solid regional option—particularly given the relatively modest debt burden.

The caveat here is meaningful: with fewer than 30 graduates in this data set, one or two unusual outcomes could significantly skew these numbers. Chemical engineering cohorts are often small at regional universities, so some volatility is expected. For a student committed to this field and preferring to stay in-state, South Alabama offers reasonable value with manageable debt, though families should recognize they're not getting the premium outcomes of the state's flagship programs.