Chemistry at Monmouth University

Monmouth University's chemistry program carries one significant caveat upfront: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data set, these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. That said, the available data reveals a program that performs slightly better than the national average but lags behind stronger New Jersey options.

The program ranks in the 40th percentile among New Jersey chemistry programs, with first-year earnings of $43,512 falling about $1,400 below the state median. Meanwhile, top performers like Montclair State and Rowan University produce graduates earning $10,000-$12,000 more right out of the gate. The positive here is debt: at $27,000, it's higher than the state median but still manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 that allows graduates to service loans without major strain. Earnings do grow 17% to nearly $51,000 by year four, which suggests reasonable career progression.

For families considering Monmouth at full private-school cost, the economics are harder to justify when Rutgers campuses deliver similar outcomes at a fraction of the price. If Monmouth offers substantial merit aid or your student thrives in smaller classroom settings (the 90% admission rate suggests less selective competition), the program works. But if you're comparing sticker prices, the state's public universities provide better chemistry value.