Analysis
Pennsylvania chemistry programs show considerable variation, with top performers at Millersville and Drexel posting first-year earnings around $50,000. For Cheyney's program, the financial picture remains harder to pin down—small graduate cohorts mean the school's actual outcomes aren't published, so we're relying on what similar Pennsylvania chemistry programs typically produce. Based on those peer programs, graduates might expect around $43,600 in first-year earnings against roughly $27,000 in debt, yielding a manageable 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio that aligns closely with national chemistry program medians.
The 41% Pell grant enrollment suggests Cheyney serves students for whom a chemistry degree could be genuinely transformative, but the lack of program-specific data creates real uncertainty. Are outcomes tracking with state averages, or does Cheyney's specific program perform differently? The financial fundamentals look reasonable if graduates actually land in that $43,000 range—chemistry credentials generally translate to employable skills. However, the gap between peer program estimates and what top-performing state schools achieve ($50,000+) is meaningful over a career.
For families weighing this investment, contact Cheyney's chemistry department directly and ask about graduate placement rates, employer connections, and where recent alumni actually landed. The estimated numbers suggest a viable path, but you need program-specific outcomes data—not statewide proxies—to make a confident decision about spending $27,000 here versus pursuing chemistry elsewhere in Pennsylvania.
Where Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (73 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,904 | $43,571* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $12,262 | $50,524* | $55,858 | $20,250* | 0.40 | |
| $60,663 | $49,215* | — | $29,667* | 0.60 | |
| $14,630 | $43,571* | $58,424 | $27,000* | 0.62 | |
| $14,646 | $43,571* | $58,424 | $27,000* | 0.62 | |
| $14,620 | $43,571* | $58,424 | $27,000* | 0.62 | |
| National Median | — | $42,581* | — | $24,000* | 0.56 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with chemistry graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chemists
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, approximately 41% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 10 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.