Analysis
A chemistry degree from Loyola carries an estimated $25,000 in debt—just above the national median for these programs—while first-year earnings based on comparable bachelor's chemistry programs nationally hover around $42,600. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 suggests manageable repayment, with total debt coming in below annual salary. The estimated earnings align closely with what Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette chemistry graduates actually earn, providing some reassurance that peer programs in Louisiana produce similar outcomes.
The catch is that both the earnings and debt figures here are estimates drawn from similar programs elsewhere, not tracked outcomes for Loyola's own chemistry graduates. With 19 chemistry programs across Louisiana and first-year salaries clustering tightly around $42,600, there's little reason to expect dramatic deviation—but you're making this decision without school-specific data. Loyola's 37% Pell grant population suggests a meaningful number of students managing larger financial pressures, making that estimated debt load worth scrutinizing carefully.
For a family evaluating this investment, the estimated numbers point to a workable financial proposition: debt that shouldn't overwhelm starting salaries, especially if your student pursues the lab work, quality control roles, or graduate school pathways typical of chemistry majors. But confirm financial aid specifics directly with Loyola, and recognize you're betting on outcomes that mirror Louisiana's other chemistry programs rather than proven results from this particular school.
Where Loyola University New Orleans Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (19 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,240 | $42,581* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $10,418 | $42,715* | — | —* | — | |
| $10,125 | $42,572* | — | $27,000* | 0.63 | |
| National Median | — | $42,581* | — | $24,000* | 0.56 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with chemistry graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chemists
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Loyola University New Orleans, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 205 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.