Chemistry at Northeastern Illinois University

With debt of just $16,111—well below the $22,902 state median for chemistry programs—Northeastern Illinois manages something increasingly rare: making a science degree affordable for students who need it most. More than half the student body receives Pell grants, yet graduates leave with roughly $8,000 less debt than typical Illinois chemistry majors.

The earnings picture requires more caution. Based on comparable Illinois programs, first-year earnings around $44,860 appear competitive with state peers, though the limited sample size means we're extrapolating from just four similar programs. That estimate puts earnings close to what students at Northern Illinois report, but the uncertainty matters when you're evaluating return on investment. What we can say with confidence is that the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 means the financial burden is manageable regardless—students would owe less than four months' salary.

For families watching every dollar, particularly those who qualify for Pell grants, this combination of accessibility and controlled debt costs makes practical sense. You're not paying a premium for the degree, and if the earnings estimates hold true, your child can start their career without the weight of crushing loan payments. The tradeoff is less certainty about whether this specific program matches the outcomes of Illinois's top chemistry schools.