Chemistry at Carleton College

A $17,000 debt load stands out immediately—that's $7,000 below the state median and $7,000 below the national median for chemistry bachelor's programs. For context, similar chemistry programs in Minnesota suggest first-year earnings around $46,000, putting Carleton graduates in line with peer institutions like University of Minnesota-Twin Cities while carrying substantially less debt. The resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 means graduates would owe less than five months of gross salary, a manageable burden compared to most chemistry programs nationwide.

The caveat: Carleton's actual graduate outcomes aren't publicly available due to small cohort sizes, so we're relying on state benchmarks here. What we do know for certain is that Carleton students graduate with debt levels in the 85th percentile—meaning 85% of chemistry programs nationally saddle students with more debt. Combined with the college's selectivity (22% admission rate, 1491 average SAT) and strong academic reputation, the earnings estimates seem plausible, if not conservative.

For parents weighing this investment, the math looks solid. Even if actual earnings came in 10% below the state average, the low debt means your child would still face a lighter financial burden than graduates from most chemistry programs. The real question is whether Carleton's $70,000+ annual sticker price justifies the premium when state schools produce comparable earnings—but if financial aid brings debt down to $17,000, that concern largely disappears.