Chemistry at Pittsburg State University

Chemistry graduates from comparable programs typically earn around $42,600 in their first year—a figure that sits right at the national median but trails the Kansas state average of $44,000. With estimated debt of $26,000, you're looking at borrowing about seven months of that first-year salary, which translates to manageable monthly payments of roughly $290 over ten years. That's a workable ratio, though it means your graduate will be directing about 8% of their gross income toward loan repayment during those early career years.

The challenge here isn't the debt load—it's what comes after. Chemistry bachelor's degrees often serve as stepping stones to graduate programs or specialized roles that take time to access. That $42,600 starting point needs to lead somewhere, whether through employer-sponsored training, graduate school, or strategic job-hopping into higher-paying positions. Programs at Fort Hays State and Wichita State show similar starting salaries in Kansas, suggesting this is the baseline for the field statewide rather than a school-specific limitation.

The math works if your student has a clear path beyond that first job—whether into pharmaceuticals, quality control, or further education. Without that trajectory, a chemistry degree at this debt level becomes a lot less compelling than career tracks with stronger immediate earnings. Press the school on graduate school acceptance rates and industry placement specifics, not just starting salaries.