Chemistry at Le Moyne-Owen College

A chemistry bachelor's degree that leaves graduates with an estimated $25,000 in debt alongside first-year earnings around $41,600 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60—well below concerning thresholds. Based on comparable chemistry programs in Tennessee, graduates typically earn within the national range for this major, suggesting the credential provides access to entry-level positions in laboratories, chemical companies, or graduate programs without the premium pricing found at larger research universities.

The challenge here is that with 71% of students receiving Pell grants, Le Moyne-Owen serves a primarily low-income population where even moderate debt can strain family budgets. Similar Tennessee programs carry estimated median debt of about $20,000, meaning this estimate sits slightly higher than the state benchmark. However, chemistry remains one of the more practical STEM paths—peer programs across Tennessee show consistent earnings in the low $40,000s, regardless of institution.

For families weighing this investment, the math works if your student is genuinely committed to chemistry and will complete the degree. The estimated debt load is recoverable on typical starting salaries in this field. But given the small graduate cohorts (which is why actual data isn't available), verify that the program maintains adequate lab resources and faculty support. A chemistry degree requires hands-on training to be marketable, and programs with uncertain enrollment can struggle to maintain facilities.