Chemistry at Indiana University-Indianapolis

Indiana University-Indianapolis produces chemistry graduates who earn nearly identically to the national median ($42,482 versus $42,581), but here's what matters more for Indiana families: this program lags behind most in-state alternatives. At the 40th percentile among Indiana chemistry programs, graduates here earn about $5,000 less annually than chemistry majors from Purdue's main campus and slightly trail IU-Bloomington and Ball State. Given Indiana's relatively affordable in-state options for chemistry, that gap is worth considering.

The financial structure itself looks reasonable—$21,902 in debt translates to just over half a year's starting salary, and earnings climb 23% by year four to $52,352. That's manageable debt for a science degree that shows solid income growth. The challenge isn't affordability; it's that several peer institutions in Indiana deliver comparable or better outcomes at similar or lower cost.

For families committed to IU-Indianapolis for location or other factors, this chemistry degree won't derail your child's finances. But if chemistry is the priority and you're flexible on location within Indiana, the data suggests looking at Bloomington's campus first or considering Purdue, where chemistry graduates see meaningfully higher starting salaries that compound over time.