Analysis
Chemistry graduates in Alabama typically earn between $34,000 and $49,000 in their first year, with similar programs suggesting Huntingdon's outcomes likely fall near the middle of this range at an estimated $42,600. That puts the program roughly on par with the state and national medians for chemistry degrees, though Alabama's chemistry graduates generally lag behind national averages by about $900 annually.
The estimated $25,000 in debt yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59—manageable by most standards, as it represents about seven months of gross income. Peer programs at similar private institutions suggest this debt load is typical, and the monthly payments would consume roughly 6-7% of take-home pay under standard repayment plans. However, chemistry as a field offers limited early-career salary growth at the bachelor's level, with many graduates finding that lab technician and quality control positions—the most common entry points—don't see dramatic pay increases without additional credentials.
The key question is career trajectory. If your child plans to stop at a bachelor's degree and enter the workforce directly, these figures suggest a workable but not particularly lucrative path. If graduate school is the goal, understand that this debt becomes the foundation of a larger total. For a family considering Huntingdon specifically, the lack of reported data means you're relying on broader industry patterns rather than this school's actual track record—request information about where recent graduates have been placed and at what salaries.
Where Huntingdon College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (23 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $28,650 | $42,581* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $11,990 | $49,497* | $70,485 | $24,830* | 0.50 | |
| $8,832 | $33,931* | — | $26,000* | 0.77 | |
| 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 Huntingdon College, approximately 39% 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.