Chemistry at San Francisco State University

At an estimated $15,953 in debt—about $8,000 below the national median for chemistry programs—San Francisco State appears to offer a more affordable path into the field than many peers. Based on comparable programs in California, this debt load translates to a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio. First-year earnings of $44,140 land above both national and state medians, suggesting SFSU chemistry graduates start on solid footing despite the university's near-open admission policy.

The real story emerges by year four, when earnings jump to $69,237—a 57% increase that outpaces typical early-career growth. While this trails UC Berkeley's $59,576 starting point by about $15,000, the earnings trajectory shows chemistry graduates can build strong careers regardless of institutional prestige. The 41% Pell grant population suggests many students here are leveraging chemistry as an upward mobility vehicle, and the combination of lower estimated debt with above-median earnings supports that strategy.

For parents worried about return on investment, the key takeaway is that comparable chemistry programs in California produce graduates who earn well and carry modest debt. The absence of school-specific debt data here means some uncertainty, but the earnings figures—which are reported—place SFSU chemistry in the top half of programs statewide while costing substantially less than the national typical debt burden.