Chemistry at Saint Anselm College

Saint Anselm's Chemistry program carries $27,000 in median debt—right at the state median for chemistry programs but above the national figure of $24,000. Based on comparable chemistry programs nationwide, graduates typically earn around $42,600 in their first year, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63. That's manageable territory: a graduate would devote roughly eight months of their first year's salary to paying off this debt if they tackled it aggressively.

The challenge lies in uncertainty. With a small chemistry cohort, we don't have actual earnings data for Saint Anselm graduates specifically, so we're relying on what similar programs produce nationally. Chemistry degrees tend to offer stable employment prospects across laboratory, research, and quality control roles, but outcomes can vary significantly based on whether students pursue graduate school, industry jobs, or teaching. The relatively modest debt load at least keeps options open—a graduate isn't boxed into the highest-paying path just to manage their loans.

For parents evaluating this investment, the key question is whether Saint Anselm's particular strengths—small classes, a 78% admission rate suggesting accessible entry—translate into outcomes that match or exceed the national chemistry baseline. The debt picture won't sink your child financially, but you'll want to dig into placement rates and graduate school matriculation to gauge whether this specific program delivers value beyond what the typical chemistry bachelor's provides.