Analysis
A Bachelor's in Chemistry from Greenville typically leads to first-year earnings around $44,860, based on similar programs across Illinois—a figure that lands near the national median and matches the state benchmark. With estimated debt of roughly $25,000, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, meaning graduates would owe about half their first-year salary. That's manageable territory if the job materializes, though it's worth noting this estimate comes from national debt patterns at similar private institutions rather than Greenville-specific outcomes.
The challenge here is context. Greenville's 95% admission rate and average SAT of 1034 suggest this isn't a selective chemistry program competing with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (where chemistry grads start at $47,034). The lack of reported data—suppressed due to small graduate numbers—means you're investing in a program that produces few chemistry degrees annually. Small cohorts can mean limited lab resources, fewer specialized courses, or thin alumni networks in the field. When peer programs show such a wide range ($32,000 to $47,000), the actual preparation quality matters enormously.
If your child is set on chemistry and Greenville offers something specific (faith-based education, particular location, smaller classes), the estimated debt load isn't prohibitive. But for a pure return-on-investment play in chemistry, programs with reported outcomes and stronger academic profiles would reduce the guesswork considerably.
Where Greenville University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (47 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,598 | $44,860* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $16,004 | $47,034* | $63,276 | $21,500* | 0.46 | |
| $12,922 | $46,659* | $57,878 | $25,000* | 0.54 | |
| $12,700 | $43,061* | $56,116 | $23,023* | 0.53 | |
| $14,952 | $31,980* | $57,236 | $27,000* | 0.84 | |
| 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 Greenville University, approximately 38% 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 median of 4 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.