Analysis
USC's chemical engineering program shows surprisingly modest outcomes for one of the nation's most selective universities. Despite a 10% admission rate and sky-high SAT scores, graduates earn $68,234 in their first year—below the national median for chemical engineering and trailing UC Berkeley grads by over $13,000. While the program sits at the 40th percentile among California's 14 chemical engineering programs, it's notably behind most UC campuses and even Cal Poly Pomona.
The upside? Graduates carry just $13,000 in debt, roughly a quarter of the national median. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19, making this one of the lowest-debt chemical engineering programs in the country. The 32% earnings growth to nearly $90,000 by year four is solid, though the gap with top UC programs persists. For a wealthy family, USC's strong alumni network and private school advantages may justify the investment. But families relying on loans should recognize they'd likely see better pure financial returns from several more affordable UC campuses, where graduates earn more from day one while avoiding USC's higher cost of attendance beyond just federal loans.
Where University of Southern California Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemical engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Southern California 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 Southern California | $68,234 | $89,986 | +32% |
| University of California-Berkeley | $81,553 | $108,067 | +33% |
| University of California-Los Angeles | $76,680 | $92,741 | +21% |
| University of California-Davis | $68,337 | $90,820 | +33% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | $69,009 | $88,952 | +29% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Chemical Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (14 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles | $68,237 | $68,234 | $89,986 | $13,000 | 0.19 |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $81,553 | $108,067 | $18,155 | 0.22 |
 University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara | $14,965 | $79,737 | $87,132 | $14,937 | 0.19 |
 University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $13,747 | $76,680 | $92,741 | $18,205 | 0.24 |
 California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona | $7,439 | $69,009 | $88,952 | $21,812 | 0.32 |
 University of California-DavisDavis | $15,247 | $68,337 | $90,820 | $16,000 | 0.23 |
| 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 Southern California, approximately 22% 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 26 graduates with reported earnings and 43 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.