Chemistry at DePauw University

DePauw's Chemistry program faces a challenging comparison problem. While six Indiana chemistry programs report first-year earnings, DePauw's cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish figures. The statewide median suggests around $42,580—essentially identical to the national benchmark—but DePauw's estimated debt of nearly $25,000 exceeds what similar Indiana programs typically report by about $2,000. The result is a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, meaning graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first year's salary.

That ratio falls within workable territory for a science degree, but context matters. Purdue chemistry graduates earn $47,000 right out of the gate with comparable or lower debt loads, while Indiana University-Bloomington alumni start at nearly $43,000. DePauw's selective admissions (54% acceptance rate, 1287 average SAT) and limited Pell enrollment (16%) suggest families are paying premium tuition for a liberal arts environment. Whether that's worth potentially higher debt depends entirely on fit—some students thrive in DePauw's smaller setting, while others would benefit more from the research infrastructure and industry connections at Indiana's flagship universities.

The takeaway: If your child is drawn to DePauw's intimate academic community, understand that chemistry earnings appear standard for Indiana but the financial investment may run higher. Request DePauw's actual placement data and compare net costs after aid before committing.