Chemistry at Midwestern State University

Chemistry degrees in Texas produce a wide range of outcomes, and the figures for Midwestern State—estimated at roughly $42,000 in first-year earnings against $21,000 in debt—track almost exactly with state medians. That's neither impressive nor alarming. The half-to-one debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, though similar programs at University of Houston or Texas A&M launch graduates with $8,000-10,000 more in annual income.

The real question is what your child plans to do with this degree. Chemistry bachelors often serve as stepping stones to graduate school, pharmacy programs, or specialized industry roles where the initial earnings matter less than the credential's utility. For students heading straight to work—particularly in Texas's chemical and energy sectors—the estimated starting salary feels modest but workable for someone graduating from a regional university with a moderate debt load.

Given that 40% of students here receive Pell grants, Midwestern State serves a population for whom keeping costs down matters enormously. If your child needs a chemistry degree without the price tag of UT Austin or the competition of Texas A&M, and especially if they're targeting graduate school where the undergraduate institution matters less, this could be a practical choice. But if they're career-focused and can access one of Texas's higher-paying chemistry programs, the earnings gap—potentially $50,000 over five years—would justify the effort.