Chemistry at San Diego State University

SDSU Chemistry graduates start below the state median but demonstrate impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 30% to $56,479 by year four. While the program ranks in just the 40th percentile among California chemistry programs initially, that early-career figure tells an incomplete story—graduates are clearly gaining valuable skills and credentials that translate to stronger mid-career outcomes.

The debt picture looks solid at first glance: $17,499 is actually above the California median for chemistry programs but translates to a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio. Many chemistry graduates pursue additional education or training that boosts later earnings, which could explain the growth trajectory here. The moderate sample size suggests these results are reasonably reliable, though not based on massive cohorts.

For families weighing SDSU against pricier UC options, this creates an interesting calculation. Berkeley grads earn $59K right away, but SDSU students borrow less and still reach respectable mid-career numbers. If your student is considering graduate school anyway—common in chemistry—SDSU's lower debt load could actually position them better for that next step than starting with more borrowing elsewhere.