Chemistry at Bennett College

Similar chemistry programs in North Carolina typically produce first-year earnings around $36,000, which falls well below the $42,600 national median for bachelor's-level chemistry graduates. That gap—roughly $6,300 annually—suggests graduates from North Carolina's chemistry programs generally start their careers at a regional disadvantage, though Bennett's estimated debt load of about $25,000 keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.69.

What makes this picture more uncertain is that the top-performing chemistry programs in the state—NC State, East Carolina, and UNC Wilmington—all report actual earnings between $44,000 and $48,000 for their graduates. That's $10,000 to $12,000 more than the state median Bennett's estimates are drawn from, raising questions about which peer programs truly reflect Bennett's outcomes. The difference matters: an extra $10,000 annually transforms the value equation significantly.

For a family considering this investment, the critical unknown is where Bennett falls within North Carolina's wide range of chemistry program outcomes. The estimated figures suggest a workable debt load but below-average earning potential compared to both state leaders and the national median. Before committing, you'd want to understand Bennett's specific track record—whether its graduates secure lab positions, pursue graduate school, or face different employment patterns than larger state universities that dominate the top earnings data.