Chemistry at Cleveland State University

Cleveland State's chemistry program posts impressive earnings that beat 86% of chemistry programs nationwide, but that "small sample" warning deserves attention here. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could swing significantly with just a few data points. That said, the trajectory looks solid: graduates start at $48,147 and climb to $55,195 within four years—a 15% bump that suggests real career progression.

The debt picture is reasonable at $24,744, translating to a manageable 0.51 ratio against first-year earnings. Within Ohio, this program sits comfortably in the 60th percentile, outearning chemistry grads from most state schools except Cincinnati and Akron. For context, Cleveland State's highly accessible admission profile (95% acceptance rate) combined with 39% Pell enrollment means many students here are seeking affordable paths to STEM careers, and the earnings data suggests they're finding them.

The catch: small cohorts mean less stable data and potentially fewer on-campus recruiting connections or lab resources than larger programs. If your student thrives in smaller settings and wants to stay in Northeast Ohio, these outcomes justify the investment. Just verify that recent cohorts match this pattern before committing—ask the department directly about placement rates and typical employers for their graduates.