Chemistry at Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State's chemistry program lands squarely in the middle of Missouri's offerings but trails the national median by about $3,100. With first-year earnings of $39,478, graduates earn less than peers at Missouri's flagship in Columbia (where chemists start at $45,279) but roughly match those from Kansas City's program. The modest debt load of $24,884—resulting in a manageable 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio—keeps this financially viable despite the below-average starting salary.

The real question is trajectory. Chemistry typically opens doors to graduate school or industry positions that grow substantially with experience, so these first-year numbers may not tell the full story. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could swing significantly year to year, making it harder to predict outcomes with confidence. If your student is considering chemistry here, the value depends heavily on their post-graduation plans: for those heading to graduate school or professional programs, the lower debt provides breathing room. For those entering the workforce directly, expect to start a bit behind peers from Missouri's research universities, though not catastrophically so.