Chemistry at Marquette University

Marquette's chemistry bachelor's appears to track closely with Wisconsin's strong median for this major—peer programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $49,000, which puts this estimate in line with what UW-Madison and UW-Whitewater chemistry graduates report earning. The estimated $25,000 in debt falls right at the state median and yields a manageable 0.51 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. That's a reasonable starting point for a STEM degree at a private institution with an 87% admission rate.

The challenge here is that these figures come entirely from comparable programs rather than Marquette's actual graduate outcomes, which means you're looking at Wisconsin's chemistry landscape broadly rather than this program's specific track record. Wisconsin chemistry programs clearly perform well above the national median ($43,000), but the consistency among state schools—where reported figures cluster tightly between $45,000 and $51,000—suggests the field itself drives outcomes more than the institution. If you're paying Marquette's private school premium, you'd want confirmation that this particular program delivers on that investment rather than relying on statewide averages that include public universities with lower tuition.

The debt load seems reasonable if the earnings estimates hold, but without program-specific data, you're essentially betting on Wisconsin's chemistry market rather than on Marquette's unique advantages. Request actual placement rates and starting salaries directly from the school before committing.