Chemistry at Lewis University

Lewis University's chemistry program carries debt that's slightly below both the state median ($22,902) and national median ($24,000), while first-year earnings from similar Illinois programs cluster around $44,860. That puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.51—manageable by most standards, but worth examining closely when the earnings figure itself is extrapolated from just four comparable programs statewide.

The real question is where this program sits within Illinois's chemistry landscape. The state's top earners—U of I Urbana-Champaign and SIU Edwardsville—produce graduates making $46,000-$47,000 in their first year, suggesting Lewis's outcomes likely fall somewhere in that competitive middle range. That's consistent with the school's 73% admission rate and solid academic profile. However, one Illinois program (Western Illinois) shows dramatically lower earnings at $32,000, illustrating how much variation exists even within the same state and field.

For a bachelor's in chemistry, graduating with under $23,000 in debt positions your child reasonably well, especially if they're targeting lab work, quality control, or graduate school. The limited data here means you'll want to ask Lewis directly about graduate school placement rates and first-job outcomes—chemistry careers often require advanced degrees for higher earning potential, so understanding how many graduates continue their education versus enter the workforce immediately matters considerably.