Analysis
For a chemistry bachelor's degree with an estimated first-year salary of $42,581 and debt around $25,000, Talladega College appears positioned near both national and Alabama medians for this major. Peer chemistry programs nationally typically carry $24,000 in debt, while Alabama programs average slightly higher at $24,915—suggesting this estimated debt load is fairly standard. What matters more is whether the 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio represents manageable finances: graduates would be borrowing roughly seven months of their first year's income, which falls within reasonable territory for STEM degrees.
The challenge is the wide variance you'll see among Alabama's chemistry programs, where reported outcomes range from $33,931 to nearly $50,000 in first-year earnings. Without actual graduate data from Talladega, you're navigating based on what similar programs produce rather than verified outcomes for students who walked this specific campus. The school's 76% Pell grant rate indicates it serves primarily low-income students, for whom manageable debt levels matter even more—and chemistry's reliable career pathways could justify this investment.
Given the uncertainty, verify what happens to Talladega's chemistry graduates specifically: Do they secure lab positions or professional school admission? Do they leave Alabama for better markets? These estimated figures suggest a workable financial picture, but concrete placement data would tell you whether this particular program delivers on chemistry's typical earning potential.
Where Talladega 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,650 | $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 Talladega College, approximately 76% 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.