Chemistry at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus

Chemistry programs typically produce mixed early-career outcomes, and Fairleigh Dickinson's estimated picture—based on comparable New Jersey programs—suggests starting earnings around $45,000 against roughly $25,000 in debt. That 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in reasonable territory, but the context matters: other chemistry bachelor's programs in New Jersey show significant variation, with top state schools like Montclair and Rowan placing graduates at $53,000-$55,000 right out of the gate. That $10,000 gap compounds quickly over a career.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely from estimates derived from peer programs since this specific chemistry cohort was too small to report actual outcomes. Similar programs suggest the earnings align closely with state and national medians, which isn't necessarily a red flag—chemistry is a field where graduate school or specific industry connections often matter more than undergraduate brand. But at a 95% admission rate with 35% of students on Pell grants, you'd want confidence that graduates are landing lab positions or professional opportunities that justify the investment versus cheaper public alternatives nearby.

Without reported data for this specific program, the safest approach is comparing total cost of attendance. If Fairleigh Dickinson's net price after aid is competitive with state schools, the estimated outcomes suggest reasonable value. If you're paying significantly more, those higher-earning Rutgers and Rowan programs—with actual data backing their results—deserve serious consideration.