Chemistry at Elizabethtown College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 puts this program in reasonable territory for a science degree, though the limited data from this small program means families should look closely at what's typical across Pennsylvania's chemistry programs for context. Based on comparable bachelor's programs in the state, first-year earnings around $43,600 align closely with both state and national medians for chemistry graduates—a solid if unremarkable starting point for a field that typically rewards graduate education more than immediate entry-level opportunities.

The estimated $26,700 in debt sits just below Pennsylvania's median for chemistry programs and matches national norms. When spread across a standard 10-year repayment, monthly payments would consume roughly 13-14% of gross income in that first year—manageable but not trivial. The catch with Elizabethtown's chemistry program is that we're working entirely from peer program data rather than actual graduate outcomes, which makes it harder to know whether this small liberal arts college delivers the lab experience, research opportunities, and employer connections that distinguish stronger chemistry programs from weaker ones.

If your student is serious about chemistry as a career path, compare Elizabethtown directly to Pennsylvania programs with documented outcomes—Millersville and Drexel both show chemistry graduates earning $49,000-$50,000 in year one, a meaningful $6,000-$7,000 premium. For a program charging private college tuition without the outcome data to back it up, you'll want concrete evidence about graduate school placement rates and industry connections before committing.