Chemical Engineering
Bachelor's degree · University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA
How this program compares
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Chemical Engineering at University of California-San Diego earn a median of $59,508 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $98,158 four years after graduating (middle half: $80,300–$117,974). Median debt is $18,500, about 31% of first-year earnings – a manageable level by common guidelines.
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's degree) at other California schools
| College | Earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $81,553 | $18,155 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara | $79,737 | $14,937 |
| University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles | $76,680 | $17,000 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona | $69,009 | $21,322 |
| University of California-Davis Davis | $68,337 | $15,750 |
| University of California-Riverside Riverside | $68,245 | $17,182 |
| University of Southern California Los Angeles | $68,234 | $13,000 |
| University of California-Irvine Irvine | $57,540 | $18,250 |
| California State University-Long Beach Long Beach | $45,164 | $16,248 |
Other programs at University of California-San Diego
- Computer ScienceMaster's degree
$148,262 - Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralMaster's degree
$146,806 - Engineering, OtherMaster's degree
$142,225 - Education, GeneralDoctoral degree
$122,372 - Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical StudiesMaster's degree
$121,264 - Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and AdministrationMaster's degree
$117,115 - Mechanical EngineeringMaster's degree
$112,996 - Computer ScienceBachelor's degree
$112,006 - Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringMaster's degree
$111,009 - Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and AdministrationDoctoral degree
$109,337 - Biomedical/Medical EngineeringMaster's degree
$100,166 - Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's degree
$98,870 - Health and Medical Administrative ServicesMaster's degree
$98,377 - Computer EngineeringBachelor's degree
$96,256 - ChemistryDoctoral degree
$93,148 - Mathematics and Computer ScienceBachelor's degree
$89,651 - Civil EngineeringMaster's degree
$89,543 - PhysicsDoctoral degree
$89,022 - Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringBachelor's degree
$80,687 - Biology, GeneralDoctoral degree
$80,294
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chemical Engineering graduates from University of California-San Diego make?
The median salary is $59,508 one year after graduation and $97,911 after five years.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $18,500.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.