Chemistry at Hamline University

Hamline's chemistry graduates start at $50,007—a figure that lands in the 95th percentile nationally but right in the middle for Minnesota, where several flagship and liberal arts programs cluster around $44,000-$47,000. That's a telling split: while this outcome beats most chemistry programs across the country, it's merely average in a state with strong STEM offerings at public universities and peer liberal arts colleges.

With an estimated $25,945 in debt (derived from comparable Minnesota programs since this cohort was too small to report), the debt-to-earnings ratio sits at a manageable 0.52. That's slightly above the national debt norm for chemistry degrees, but the stronger starting salary keeps the financial picture reasonable. Graduates would face monthly loan payments around $290 on a standard plan—affordable on a $50,000 starting income, though not exactly comfortable in the first year.

The real question is whether Hamline's smaller program justifies its likely higher tuition compared to the University of Minnesota system, which produces similar or slightly lower earnings at what's presumably lower cost. For students who thrive in Hamline's liberal arts environment and smaller class sizes, the premium might make sense. But families focused purely on return on investment should recognize they're paying for the experience more than a salary advantage—the chemistry degree itself performs well, but it's not outearning the state's more affordable alternatives.