Chemistry at Edgewood College

Wisconsin chemistry programs cluster tightly in the high $40,000s for first-year earnings, and peer programs suggest Edgewood's graduates land right in that range—around $48,900, nearly identical to what UW-Madison chemistry majors earn. This puts the program comfortably above the national median of $42,600 for chemistry bachelor's degrees, though Wisconsin as a whole outperforms most states for science graduates.

The estimated $25,000 in debt represents just over half of first-year earnings, a reasonable ratio that should be manageable on a chemist's salary trajectory. Similar programs nationally carry about $24,000 in debt, so Edgewood appears aligned with typical borrowing patterns. Chemistry degrees generally lead to careers with steady advancement—lab technicians, quality control analysts, and research assistants often see meaningful salary growth within a few years, and many graduates pursue additional credentials that unlock higher-paying roles.

The catch is that all these figures come from peer institutions, not Edgewood's actual graduate outcomes, which the Department of Education suppresses when sample sizes are too small. If you're considering this program, connect with the chemistry department directly to understand where recent graduates have landed jobs and what their actual starting salaries look like. The state benchmark suggests solid potential, but you'll want confirmation that Edgewood's specific graduates are achieving comparable results.