Chemistry at Colby College

A $25,000 debt load for a chemistry bachelor's degree from one of the nation's most selective colleges (7% admission rate) appears reasonable on its face, particularly when the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 suggests manageable monthly payments. But here's the complication: both the earnings and debt figures are estimates drawn from peer institutions nationally, since Colby's chemistry program is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. What we can say is that comparable chemistry programs across the country typically produce first-year earnings around $43,000—a solid starting point for STEM graduates, though not as robust as engineering or computer science.

The real question for parents is whether Colby's premium education (average SAT 1500, highly selective admissions) translates into outcomes that exceed these national estimates. Elite liberal arts colleges often produce graduates who pursue research positions, graduate school, or specialized roles that may start modestly but appreciate significantly over time. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (13%) suggests most families here can weather the financial uncertainty that comes with estimated rather than reported data. If your student is choosing Colby for its chemistry program specifically—rather than for the overall liberal arts experience—you'll want to connect directly with the department about where recent graduates actually landed and what they're earning, since the national benchmarks may not reflect the value proposition of this particular institution.