Chemistry at Duke University

Duke's Chemistry program shows surprisingly weak first-year earnings at just under $30,000—substantially below both the national median ($42,581) and North Carolina's state median ($36,235). More striking: multiple NC public universities report chemistry graduates earning 50-60% more in their first year out, including East Carolina ($47,875) and NC State ($47,071). Even accounting for Duke's manageable debt load of $8,457, these numbers raise questions about immediate career placement.

The caveat matters here: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so it may not capture the full picture. Duke chemistry majors might disproportionately pursue graduate school or research positions with initially modest stipends, which would depress first-year earnings but potentially lead to stronger long-term outcomes. The university's 7% admission rate and stellar SAT scores suggest these students have plenty of options—they may simply be choosing paths that delay peak earning years.

For parents weighing Duke's roughly $80,000 annual cost, this data is genuinely puzzling. If your child plans to work immediately after graduation, North Carolina's public universities appear to deliver better initial outcomes at a fraction of the price. If graduate school is the plan, understand you're likely funding an additional 4-7 years of training beyond this degree. Ask Duke directly about graduate school matriculation rates and career placement specifics for chemistry majors before committing.