Chemistry at Hardin-Simmons University

A bachelor's degree in chemistry from Hardin-Simmons comes with an estimated $25,000 in debt—slightly above the state median but in line with national norms for the field. The bigger question is earnings potential. Similar chemistry programs in Texas typically produce first-year salaries around $42,000, which would put graduates at a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's serviceable but not exceptional, especially when you consider that top Texas programs like UT Austin and Texas A&M see chemistry graduates earning $43,000 to $50,000 right out of the gate.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely from estimates based on peer programs—Hardin-Simmons hasn't reported actual outcomes for its chemistry graduates, likely due to small cohort sizes. This means you're betting on whether HSU can match what similar private universities achieve. Given the school's 97% admission rate and below-average SAT scores, there's legitimate uncertainty about whether outcomes will track with those benchmarks or fall short.

If your child is committed to chemistry and values the smaller, faith-based environment that HSU offers, the debt level won't be crushing. But without confirmed data showing this program actually delivers on earnings, you're taking a leap of faith that comparable programs provide a reliable guide. Before committing, try connecting with recent HSU chemistry alumni to understand where they've actually landed.