Analysis
Chemistry bachelor's programs in Wisconsin cluster tightly around $49,000 in first-year earnings, and Concordia-Wisconsin appears right in line with this state pattern. With estimated debt of about $25,000 against those earnings, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51—meaning their first-year salary covers their total debt load twice over. That's a manageable starting point, particularly in a field where advanced degrees often unlock higher-paying positions.
The uncertainty here matters more than usual. Because these figures come from peer institutions rather than Concordia's own graduates, you're essentially betting that their chemistry program produces similar outcomes to comparable schools in Wisconsin. The good news is that Wisconsin chemistry programs show remarkably consistent earnings—the difference between top performers like UW-Eau Claire and schools like Carthage is only about $5,000. This suggests the state's job market for chemistry graduates is fairly stable regardless of which institution you attend.
For parents weighing this investment, the key question is whether Concordia's chemistry program delivers the preparation that peer schools do. At this debt level, there's room for error—even if earnings fall somewhat short of the estimate, the financial burden remains workable. But given the lack of program-specific data, you'll want to dig into placement rates, lab facilities, and where recent graduates actually landed jobs before committing.
Where Concordia University-Wisconsin Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (28 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $34,250 | $48,895* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $9,277 | $50,659* | $54,532 | $23,250* | 0.46 | |
| $8,315 | $49,386* | — | $26,000* | 0.53 | |
| $8,250 | $48,903* | $54,746 | $25,250* | 0.52 | |
| $11,205 | $48,886* | $62,892 | $26,043* | 0.53 | |
| $36,500 | $45,188* | — | $27,000* | 0.60 | |
| 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 Concordia University-Wisconsin, approximately 22% 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 6 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.