Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 suggests manageable borrowing for a STEM degree, though with an important caveat: both the $42,581 first-year salary and $24,994 debt figure are national estimates, not reported outcomes from Millsaps itself. The estimated earnings align with what chemistry bachelor's programs typically produce nationwide, but they sit notably above the $35,132 median for Mississippi programs—suggesting either Millsaps graduates leave the state for better markets, or these national benchmarks don't fully capture the local landscape.
The debt estimate is roughly on par with the $24,000 national median, which means graduates would face monthly payments around $280 on a standard plan—about 8% of gross monthly income at that salary level. That's workable if the earnings materialize, but less comfortable if actual outcomes trend closer to Mississippi's lower median. Chemistry degrees can open doors to graduate programs, industry positions, or teaching, but much depends on whether students leverage Millsaps' smaller environment (49% admission rate, significant Pell population) for research opportunities and professional connections.
Without school-specific data, you're essentially betting that Millsaps' chemistry program performs at least as well as the national average. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if your child pursues opportunities beyond Mississippi, but confirm whether recent graduates actually secure jobs matching these projections before committing.
Where Millsaps College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Mississippi
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Mississippi (14 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $43,815 | $42,581* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $9,412 | $35,132* | — | $26,219* | 0.75 | |
| 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 Millsaps College, approximately 36% 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.