Chemistry at Monmouth College

A chemistry degree is practical if the earnings justify the debt, and this program appears to hit that mark—but the full picture is harder to see. Based on four similar bachelor's programs in Illinois, first-year earnings estimate at $44,860, slightly above the national median for chemistry graduates. The estimated debt of nearly $25,000 yields a manageable ratio of 0.56, meaning graduates would owe about half their first-year salary. That's reasonable by today's standards, though it's worth noting that Illinois programs vary dramatically—some chemistry grads from state universities earn close to $47,000 while others start around $32,000.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With an 87% admission rate and moderate selectivity, Monmouth serves a different student population than flagship research universities, which may influence outcomes through factors like internship networks and lab resources. Chemistry typically demands graduate study for substantial career advancement, so bachelor's-level earnings often represent just the starting point. If your child plans to stop at the bachelor's degree and enter the workforce immediately, these estimated figures suggest they'd be financially viable. If graduate school is the goal, factor in additional debt against potentially higher future earnings. The estimation means you're making this choice with less information than ideal about Monmouth's specific track record.