Analysis
A chemistry bachelor's degree from Spring Hill College appears positioned right at the national median, with peer programs suggesting around $42,600 in first-year earnings and roughly $25,000 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 sits in reasonable territory—graduates would owe about seven months of their first year's salary, which is manageable compared to many liberal arts programs.
What's harder to assess is whether Spring Hill's smaller chemistry program delivers competitive outcomes within Alabama. Chemistry programs across the state vary dramatically: some University of North Alabama graduates start near $50,000, while UAB graduates begin closer to $34,000. Without Spring Hill's actual graduate data, you're essentially betting that their chemistry training will land somewhere in that wide middle ground. The national comparisons suggest a typical outcome, but Alabama's chemistry job market—concentrated in pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and research along the Gulf Coast—may reward graduates differently depending on their school's industry connections and lab resources.
The financial picture appears workable if the earnings estimates hold, but you're making this decision with significant uncertainty about this specific program's track record. Before committing, directly ask Spring Hill's chemistry department about recent graduate placements, particularly which companies hire their students and what roles those graduates fill in Mobile's chemical industry corridor.
Where Spring Hill College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (23 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23,270 | $42,581* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $11,990 | $49,497* | $70,485 | $24,830* | 0.50 | |
| $8,832 | $33,931* | — | $26,000* | 0.77 | |
| National Median | — | $42,581* | — | $24,000* | 0.56 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with chemistry graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chemists
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Spring Hill College, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 205 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.