Chemistry at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State's chemistry program sits right in the middle of the pack—it delivers modestly below-average earnings nationally (44th percentile) but outperforms more than half of Missouri's chemistry programs (60th percentile). The $41,166 starting salary trails the national median by about $1,400 but edges above the state median, and the $23,750 debt load is manageable at just 58% of first-year earnings. Students see solid 28% earnings growth by year four, reaching $52,668, which suggests reasonable career progression for chemistry graduates.

The real caution here is the sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing significantly with just a handful of different outcomes. That said, the program costs less than flagship Mizzou while delivering earnings within about $4,000 of that institution's median—a reasonable trade-off given Missouri State's open admission policy and lower tuition. For Missouri families looking to keep costs down while preparing for chemistry careers or graduate school, this represents a practical middle-ground option.

If your student is serious about chemistry and competitive for more selective programs, Mizzou's higher earnings might justify the additional cost. But for students who want a solid chemistry foundation without excessive debt, Missouri State gets the fundamentals right—manageable loans and earnings that keep pace with the state average.