Chemistry at Northeastern University Oakland

Chemistry programs in California show striking variance in starting salaries, and Northeastern Oakland's estimated first-year earnings of $43,766 land right at the state median—considerably below what top UC and Cal State programs produce. Berkeley chemistry graduates start at $59,576, and even less selective Cal State campuses are placing graduates $6,000-7,000 higher than what similar programs suggest for Northeastern Oakland. Given the school's 17% admission rate and 1472 average SAT, these are students who likely had options at stronger-performing programs.

The debt picture, however, offers some reassurance. At $24,500, borrowing sits just above the national median but significantly above California's $16,326 median for chemistry programs. Still, the 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and the jump to $88,634 by year four suggests the field rewards experience. That four-year figure exceeds what most comparable programs show initially, though without seeing how other schools' graduates progress, it's difficult to know if Northeastern Oakland is catching up or if this simply reflects broader chemistry career trajectories.

The fundamental question is whether a selective program producing median outcomes justifies higher debt than most California alternatives. If your child has admission offers from UC or Cal State campuses with stronger chemistry placement records and lower typical debt loads, those deserve serious consideration. The co-op model that defines Northeastern's brand might explain the later earnings gains, but you're essentially betting on that institutional advantage to overcome a weaker start.