Location: Normal, IL•In-State Tuition: $16,021•Out-of-State Tuition: $28,086•Admission Rate: 89%•Avg SAT: 1127
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$44,860
Est. from IL median (4 programs)
Median Debt
$24,875
4% above national median

Analysis

Similar chemistry programs across Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $44,860—a figure that lands squarely in the middle of the pack for the state, trailing institutions like UIUC and SIUE but staying well ahead of programs that start graduates closer to $32,000. With debt of $24,875, Illinois State's chemistry majors appear to carry slightly more than the state median, though the 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable compared to many bachelor's programs.

Chemistry degrees typically open doors to labs, pharmaceuticals, and graduate programs, but outcomes vary widely depending on whether graduates pursue industry positions, teaching credentials, or continue their education. The estimated earnings here track closely with national benchmarks, suggesting this program produces competitive entry-level candidates. However, at an 89% admission rate, the school serves a broader student population than Illinois's flagship research institutions, which may influence both the rigor of coursework and employer perceptions.

For families evaluating this investment: the debt load won't crush a chemistry graduate earning in the mid-$40s, but there's little financial cushion if career plans shift or graduate school delays full-time employment. Given that these figures are based on peer programs rather than ISU's actual outcomes, visit the chemistry department directly to ask about job placement rates, graduate school acceptance, and whether alumni end up in roles that justify the credential cost.

Where Illinois State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally

Illinois State University (estimated ±10%)Other chemistry programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (47 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Illinois State UniversityNormal$16,021$44,860*—$24,875—
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign$16,004$47,034*$63,276$21,5000.46
Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville$12,922$46,659*$57,878$25,0000.54
Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb$12,700$43,061*$56,116$23,0230.53
Western Illinois UniversityMacomb$14,952$31,980*$57,236$27,0000.84
National Median—$42,581*—$24,0000.56
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with chemistry graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chemists

Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

$86,620/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 Illinois State University, approximately 30% 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.