Chemistry at Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay State University's chemistry program produces graduates earning $42,475 in their first year—essentially matching the national median while keeping debt notably lower than average. The $20,500 in typical debt translates to a manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. Within Tennessee, this program sits at the 60th percentile for earnings, performing comparably to much larger flagship institutions like UT-Knoxville and UT-Chattanooga.

The affordability advantage here matters considerably. While graduates earn similar amounts to those from Tennessee's flagship universities, they're doing so with less debt burden than chemistry majors typically carry nationally. For a family considering whether their student needs to attend a more selective institution, this data suggests Austin Peay offers competitive outcomes at a lower financial risk.

However, these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual experiences may vary more than at larger programs. The data also doesn't tell us where these graduates work—whether they're staying in Tennessee, pursuing industry positions, or heading to graduate school. If your student is serious about chemistry and this represents an affordable in-state option, the numbers support it as a reasonable choice, particularly given that nearly half of students here receive Pell grants and still achieve solid outcomes.