Analysis
Hunter College's chemistry program graduates start at just $29,340—placing them in the bottom 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile within New York. That's roughly $13,000 below the state median and nearly $23,000 behind SUNY Oswego's chemistry grads. However, the program's extraordinary 55% earnings jump to $45,438 by year four tells a different story: these graduates rapidly catch up, ultimately matching the national 75th percentile despite their difficult start.
The key question is whether your student can weather those first few years on $29,340 in New York City. The silver lining is minimal debt—at $9,000, Hunter keeps borrowing exceptionally low (5th percentile nationally for debt), which means graduates aren't bleeding money to loan payments during those lean early years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 is manageable even with the modest starting salary.
This program makes sense for students with financial cushioning during the early career phase—perhaps living at home or having other support—who can afford to wait for the earnings growth to materialize. The combination of rock-bottom debt and strong upward trajectory creates real long-term value, but the path requires patience and probably some short-term sacrifice that wealthier families can more easily absorb.
Where CUNY Hunter College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How CUNY Hunter College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Hunter College | $29,340 | $45,438 | +55% |
| Binghamton University | $35,115 | $69,083 | +97% |
| New York University | $37,249 | $63,411 | +70% |
| Stony Brook University | $31,685 | $62,853 | +98% |
| University at Albany | $48,276 | $57,546 | +19% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (80 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York | $7,382 | $29,340 | $45,438 | $9,000 | 0.31 |
 State University of New York at OswegoOswego | $8,769 | $52,645 | — | $27,000 | 0.51 |
 University at AlbanyAlbany | $10,408 | $48,276 | $57,546 | $25,856 | 0.54 |
 New York UniversityNew York | $60,438 | $37,249 | $63,411 | $23,250 | 0.62 |
 University at BuffaloBuffalo | $10,782 | $35,284 | $53,437 | $23,250 | 0.66 |
 Binghamton UniversityVestal | $10,363 | $35,115 | $69,083 | $19,500 | 0.56 |
| 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 CUNY Hunter College, approximately 55% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 143 graduates with reported earnings and 49 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.