Chemistry at Kenyon College

A first-year salary of $43,349—roughly matching what peer chemistry programs across Ohio typically produce—suggests this degree should keep debt manageable at Kenyon's estimated $27,000. That 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio is reasonable for a science degree, though it's worth noting that several public universities in Ohio report their chemistry graduates earning $44,000 to $48,000 in their first year, potentially with lower debt loads.

The real question here is whether a selective liberal arts environment justifies similar or slightly higher debt compared to state flagship programs. Kenyon admits just 31% of applicants and enrolls a predominantly affluent student body (only 10% receive Pell grants), which often correlates with strong career networks. But chemistry is a field where graduate school, not undergraduate pedigree, typically determines long-term earning potential. If your child is headed to a PhD program anyway, the undergraduate debt becomes a longer-term burden.

These estimates are based on what comparable chemistry programs in Ohio achieve, not Kenyon-specific outcomes. Given that uncertainty, visit the chemistry department and ask directly about graduate school placement rates and first-destination outcomes. If most graduates move into research positions or funded PhD programs, that $27,000 becomes more manageable than if they're scrambling for lab tech jobs at $40,000.