Chemistry at Averett University

With estimated debt of roughly $25,000 against first-year earnings around $39,000, this chemistry degree lands right at Virginia's median for the field—but that's where the straightforward picture ends. While comparable programs in Virginia typically produce a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio, the state's chemistry outcomes vary dramatically: top programs like George Mason and Virginia Tech see graduates earning $45,000-$50,000 right out of the gate, suggesting that program quality and institutional resources matter considerably in this field.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates—both earnings and debt figures are derived from peer programs because Averett's graduate sample is too small for the Department of Education to publish. This makes it impossible to know whether Averett's chemistry program performs above, below, or at the state median. Chemistry programs require significant lab infrastructure, research opportunities, and industry connections, factors that can vary widely among schools. For a family considering $25,000 in loans, that uncertainty carries real financial weight.

The practical question: can you afford to bet on outcomes we can't verify? If your child is committed to chemistry and values Averett's smaller environment, consider whether graduate school is likely—most chemistry careers require advanced degrees anyway, adding more debt to this foundation. Otherwise, programs with published outcomes offer more certainty about what you're buying.