Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 suggests a manageable financial start, though the complete picture here requires acknowledging significant uncertainty. With both earnings and debt figures drawn from national medians across similar chemistry programs, we're essentially looking at what's typical nationally—not what Norwich specifically delivers. The estimated $42,581 first-year salary aligns with the national median for bachelor's-level chemistry graduates, while the projected $24,994 debt load sits just above the national median of $24,000, meaning monthly payments around $280 on a standard plan.
Vermont has six schools offering chemistry degrees, but none report publicly available outcome data, making program-to-program comparisons within the state impossible. Norwich's 74% admission rate and modest 24% Pell grant enrollment suggest a less selective institution serving primarily middle-income students, but without actual graduate outcomes, you can't verify whether the university's specific program matches, exceeds, or falls short of national trends. Chemistry degrees often lead to various career paths—some requiring graduate school, others offering immediate industry positions—which can dramatically affect early earnings.
The estimated debt load appears reasonable against projected income, but that's the extent of what this data reveals. Before committing, request direct information from Norwich about where their recent chemistry graduates actually land jobs and what they earn, recognizing that estimated national medians tell you little about this particular program's track record.
Where Norwich University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Chemistry bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49,600 | $42,581* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $63,141 | $62,511* | $88,634 | $24,500* | 0.39 | |
| $14,850 | $59,576* | $64,496 | $11,172* | 0.19 | |
| $14,766 | $55,389* | — | $23,600* | 0.43 | |
| $11,389 | $55,376* | $67,363 | $27,000* | 0.49 | |
| $16,080 | $54,055* | $67,828 | $24,893* | 0.46 | |
| National Median | — | $42,581* | — | $24,000* | 0.56 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with chemistry graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chemists
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Norwich University, approximately 24% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 205 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.