Chemical Engineering at University of Utah

University of Utah's chemical engineering graduates start at $73,841—essentially matching the national median but falling below the state's $75,703 average. This matters more than it might seem: with only two schools offering this program in Utah, you're looking at BYU as the main alternative, where graduates earn about $4,000 more right out of school. The 40th percentile ranking among Utah programs confirms this is the less competitive option in-state for chemical engineering specifically.

The debt picture offers some consolation. At $22,750, graduates owe about $4,000 less than the state median for this major, yielding a manageable 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio. Earnings do grow to $80,643 by year four, which shows typical career progression for the field. The moderate sample size suggests these numbers are reasonably reliable, though not as robust as you'd see at larger programs.

For families prioritizing lower debt over maximum starting salary, Utah delivers solid value—you're getting into chemical engineering without crushing loans. But if your child can access BYU (harder to get into, different cultural fit), the earnings premium there might justify exploring it. The real question is whether saving $4,000 in debt compensates for potentially earning $4,000 less annually, which compounds over a career.