Chemistry at Pacific Union College

Drawing on what similar chemistry programs in California produce, Pacific Union College's estimated first-year earnings of $43,766 land right at the state median—a respectable outcome that tracks closely with national benchmarks. The estimated $25,000 in debt is higher than California's typical $16,326 for chemistry degrees, though it remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57. This suggests graduates would dedicate roughly half their first-year income to debt, which is workable but not ideal.

The challenge is context. Top California programs—UC Berkeley, Cal State Long Beach, UC Merced—report chemistry graduates earning $50,000 to nearly $60,000 in their first year. Pacific Union's estimated outcomes fall well below this tier, and the higher debt load compounds the gap. For a selective liberal arts college (42% admission rate), you'd hope to see either stronger earnings or lighter debt burdens that reflect smaller class sizes and personalized attention.

The numbers suggest Pacific Union delivers a middle-of-the-road chemistry degree at a slightly above-average price. If your child thrives in intimate academic settings and the college's mission aligns with your family values, the premium might be justified. But purely as a financial proposition, stronger chemistry programs exist in California at similar or lower cost. Consider whether Pacific Union's specific environment offers enough value beyond the degree itself to justify the investment difference.