Chemistry at Rhodes College

Rhodes College's private liberal arts approach carries a debt premium for Chemistry students. Based on comparable programs at similar schools, graduates leave with an estimated $25,000 in debt—about 24% higher than the typical Tennessee chemistry program. That figure aligns with national private college norms but stands out when you consider that Tennessee's flagship universities report first-year earnings in the low-$40,000s with debt closer to $20,000.

The estimated 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, assuming the peer program data holds true for Rhodes specifically. Chemistry bachelor's degrees across Tennessee cluster tightly around $41,000-$42,000 in first-year earnings regardless of institution selectivity, which raises questions about whether Rhodes's higher tuition translates to better early outcomes in this field. The small graduate cohort here (too small for the DOE to report actual outcomes) means chemistry may not be among the college's most established programs.

For families weighing Rhodes against public options like UT-Knoxville, the choice hinges on what you value beyond first-year salary—research opportunities, graduate school placement, or the liberal arts environment. If your child is chemistry-focused and cost-conscious, Tennessee's public universities offer similar early earnings with substantially less debt. If Rhodes's broader educational model justifies the premium, verify that the chemistry program specifically offers the resources and outcomes you're paying for.