Chemistry at Bethany College

Kansas chemistry programs with reported outcomes, like Fort Hays State and Wichita State, show first-year earnings around $44,000—and peer institutions nationally suggest Bethany's graduates likely fall in a similar range at an estimated $42,581. With estimated debt of roughly $25,000, that translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, meaning graduates would owe about seven months of their first year's salary. For context, the Kansas median for chemistry bachelor's programs sits at $26,000 in debt, so Bethany appears aligned with state norms.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates—the actual graduate sample was too small for the Department of Education to report. This means the financial picture could be better or worse than these figures suggest. What we can say is that chemistry degrees generally lead to stable employment, and the estimated debt load isn't alarming relative to expected earnings. The 43% Pell grant rate indicates Bethany serves a meaningful share of lower-income students, which could mean actual debt varies considerably depending on family circumstances.

If your child is committed to chemistry and attracted to Bethany's small-college environment, the estimated numbers don't raise red flags. But given the data limitations, I'd recommend asking the college directly about recent graduate outcomes and connecting with alumni before committing. The financial framework looks reasonable based on comparable programs—you just need more concrete information to feel confident.