Analysis
A chemistry bachelor's degree from Grambling State comes with estimated debt of $23,675—meaningfully lower than both Louisiana's typical $27,000 and the national median of $24,000 for chemistry programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, graduates would need roughly seven months of their first year's salary to cover their loans, which falls well within manageable territory for STEM credentials.
Based on peer chemistry programs nationally, first-year earnings hover around $42,600, positioning Grambling's estimated outcomes right in the middle of the pack. This mirrors what University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Louisiana Tech graduates actually earn, suggesting the estimate is reasonable. For a program serving a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (72%), keeping debt substantially below state averages while maintaining competitive earning potential is no small achievement.
The key uncertainty here is volume—the Department of Education suppressed this program's actual data due to small graduate cohorts. That could mean fewer than 10 chemistry majors complete the program annually, which might limit networking opportunities and departmental resources. For families prioritizing affordability in a rigorous science major, the estimated debt advantage is real. Just verify the program has the lab facilities, faculty depth, and graduate school or industry connections your student needs to translate the degree into actual career success.
Where Grambling State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (19 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,683 | $42,581* | — | $23,675* | — | |
| $10,418 | $42,715* | — | —* | — | |
| $10,125 | $42,572* | — | $27,000* | 0.63 | |
| National Median | — | $42,581* | — | $24,000* | 0.56 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with chemistry graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chemists
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Grambling State University, approximately 72% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 205 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.