Chemistry at Avila University

A bachelor's in chemistry from a mid-sized private university looks reasonable on paper, but limited enrollment means Avila's specific outcomes remain unclear. Based on Missouri's other chemistry programs, graduates typically earn around $40,000 in their first year—close to the national median—while carrying an estimated $25,000 in debt. That 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, though it's worth noting that Missouri's flagship and larger state schools report first-year earnings ranging from $39,500 to $45,000 for chemistry graduates.

The uncertainty here matters more than usual. Chemistry careers vary dramatically—lab technicians, quality control analysts, and pharmaceutical sales reps all start at different salary points, and graduate school paths complicate the picture further. With nearly half of Avila's students receiving Pell grants and an average SAT well below 1000, the student body may face different obstacles breaking into competitive lab positions than peers at research universities. The estimated debt figure comes from national data across similar private institutions, not Missouri-specific costs, adding another layer of approximation.

If your child is set on chemistry and values small class sizes at a private college, Avila could work—but you're essentially betting on outcomes you can't verify. The safer play would be touring Missouri's public universities with reported data, where you'd know exactly what chemistry graduates earn and owe before signing loan papers.