Chemistry at Bridgewater State University

The numbers here look impressive at first glance—Bridgewater State's chemistry graduates out-earn 95% of chemistry programs nationally and carry very reasonable debt. But there's a significant catch: this data represents fewer than 30 graduates, which means a few high earners could be skewing the picture considerably. That said, even the comparison to Massachusetts programs suggests something interesting is happening. While Bridgewater State ranks only at the 60th percentile statewide, that's still solid performance from a school with an 89% admission rate, and the $27,000 debt load matches the state median exactly.

What makes this program particularly intriguing is the trajectory. Earnings jump 22% by year four, reaching $67,363—nearly $20,000 above the state median. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in just six months of gross income, an unusually strong position. For context, Massachusetts has some of the nation's strongest chemistry programs, and Bridgewater State's graduates are outpacing even prestigious schools like Williams College within a year of graduation.

The small sample size means your child's experience could vary significantly from these figures. However, if they're looking at an affordable, accessible chemistry program that appears to prepare students well for the workforce, this data suggests Bridgewater State delivers on that promise—just don't assume these exact numbers are guaranteed.