Chemistry at Elizabeth City State University

A debt load around $21,000 against first-year earnings near $36,000 creates a manageable 0.57 ratio—considerably better than many undergraduate programs. Based on comparable chemistry programs across North Carolina, graduates would be borrowing less than what they'd earn in their first year, which gives breathing room for loan repayment. However, the earnings estimate sits about $6,300 below the national median for chemistry bachelor's degrees, suggesting graduates from this program may face a steeper climb to reach typical chemistry sector salaries.

The gap becomes more apparent when looking at North Carolina's stronger chemistry programs. Top state schools like East Carolina and NC State report first-year earnings in the mid-to-upper $40,000s—roughly $11,000 more than what similar programs typically produce. For a field where lab skills and research opportunities during undergrad can significantly impact starting positions, that difference may reflect the resources and industry connections available at larger research institutions versus a smaller regional university serving a majority Pell-eligible student body.

For families weighing this investment, the debt-to-earnings picture won't crush your graduate financially, but chemistry careers often require graduate school for advancement. If your student plans to stop at a bachelor's degree and enter the workforce immediately, understand they'll likely start at the lower end of the chemistry salary range. If grad school is the goal, keeping undergraduate debt under $21,000 is actually strategic—just verify the program provides adequate preparation for competitive graduate admissions.