Analysis
Washington State's chemistry bachelor's programs typically produce first-year earnings around $46,000, and based on comparable programs nationally, Heritage graduates are likely carrying about $25,000 in debt—a manageable 0.54 ratio that would take roughly half a year's earnings to pay off. This estimated debt level sits right at the national median for chemistry programs, while the projected earnings match what Washington State chemistry grads typically earn. With 63% of students receiving Pell grants, Heritage serves a population where keeping debt reasonable matters enormously.
The uncertainty here is real: Heritage's actual graduate outcomes aren't published because the cohort is too small, so we're drawing on patterns from peer institutions. The state's chemistry programs show considerable variation—from University of Washington's $46,000 range down to Whitworth's $33,000—which means individual program outcomes can differ significantly. Chemistry degrees generally lead to stable technical careers, but much depends on whether graduates pursue lab work, teaching, or continue to graduate school.
For a family weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if your student is committed to chemistry and Heritage's location and support structure fit their needs. Just recognize you're making this decision with less certainty than you'd have at schools with published outcomes—the actual debt and earnings could be meaningfully different from these peer-based estimates.
Where Heritage University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Washington
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Washington (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19,920 | $46,369* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $9,286 | $48,527* | $73,774 | $22,104* | 0.46 | |
| $12,643 | $46,369* | $53,639 | $15,389* | 0.33 | |
| $12,559 | $46,369* | $53,639 | $15,389* | 0.33 | |
| $50,964 | $44,555* | — | $23,000* | 0.52 | |
| $50,920 | $33,203* | — | $26,000* | 0.78 | |
| 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 Heritage University, approximately 63% 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 5 similar programs in WA. Actual outcomes may vary.