Chemistry at Lincoln Memorial University

A debt load near $25,000 for outcomes tracking with Tennessee's chemistry bachelor's median makes Lincoln Memorial's program look financially reasonable—at least based on what comparable programs suggest. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, graduates should theoretically manage their loans on a chemist's starting salary. However, these figures come from peer institutions across Tennessee and nationally, not from Lincoln Memorial's actual graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty about how this specific program performs.

The estimated $41,589 first-year earnings aligns almost exactly with Tennessee's state median and sits just below the national benchmark of $42,581. Tennessee chemistry programs cluster tightly in the low-$40,000s—from UT Knoxville at $41,589 to Austin Peay at $42,475—suggesting the field delivers consistent outcomes regardless of institution. What's less consistent is debt: Tennessee's median chemistry graduate carries about $20,000, which is $5,000 less than the national estimate used here.

That debt gap matters. If Lincoln Memorial graduates leave with closer to the national figure rather than Tennessee's lower median, they'd be paying more than typical Tennessee chemistry majors while earning similar salaries. The program appears viable if debt stays moderate, but without actual outcome data, you're making a decision based on reasonable assumptions rather than proven results. Ask the school directly what their chemistry graduates actually earn and owe—and whether those numbers justify choosing this program over UT Knoxville or Austin Peay, where outcomes are documented.