Analysis
Chemistry programs in Ohio cluster tightly around $43,000 in first-year earnings, and Ohio Dominican's estimated outcomes land right at this state median. Based on comparable programs—including reported data from Bowling Green, Ohio University, and others—new graduates typically earn between $43,000 and $48,000. The estimated $27,000 debt load tracks slightly above Ohio's median for chemistry degrees ($25,751), yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 that suggests manageable repayment for most graduates.
The real question is whether this mid-tier outcome justifies private tuition costs at a school serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients. Chemistry degrees generally lead to lab technician roles, quality control positions, or stepping stones to graduate programs—fields where your starting institution matters less than your technical skills and what you do next. Programs like Cincinnati and Cleveland State produce modestly higher first-year earnings (around $47,000-$48,000), but that $4,000-$5,000 gap may narrow quickly depending on your child's career path.
For families comfortable with $27,000 in debt and confident their student will leverage the chemistry degree immediately—not drift into unrelated work—this represents a solid middle-ground investment. The 85% admission rate and lower SAT averages suggest less competitive pressure, which could benefit students who need supportive environments to thrive in rigorous science coursework.
Where Ohio Dominican University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (53 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $34,370 | $43,349* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $12,613 | $48,147* | $55,195 | $24,744* | 0.51 | |
| $13,570 | $47,387* | $62,319 | $23,750* | 0.50 | |
| $12,799 | $44,970* | — | $27,500* | 0.61 | |
| $14,081 | $43,840* | $55,512 | $26,000* | 0.59 | |
| $6,178 | $43,349* | $55,606 | $25,751* | 0.59 | |
| 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 Ohio Dominican University, approximately 39% 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 median of 13 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.