Chemistry at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan's chemistry program shows surprising strength in Michigan's competitive landscape, outperforming 60% of in-state chemistry programs with first-year earnings of $45,060—substantially above Michigan's median of $39,736. Graduates earn more than those from much higher-profile programs like Michigan State ($39,531) and Wayne State ($35,813), while keeping debt moderate at $22,300. The 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, a manageable starting point for STEM careers. This program also performs solidly on a national scale, landing in the 69th percentile despite Eastern Michigan's open-access mission and relatively modest selectivity.

However, the fewer-than-30-graduate sample size means these figures could shift significantly with just a few data points. Chemistry careers also typically require graduate school or specialized training for higher earnings, so this first-year snapshot may not capture the full trajectory. Still, for Michigan families looking at affordable, accessible options, Eastern Michigan delivers comparable or better outcomes than flagship alternatives while likely offering lower tuition costs for in-state students. If your child is committed to chemistry and considering Michigan public universities, this program merits serious attention—just recognize you're working with limited data points.