Analysis
A chemistry degree from Tarleton carries an estimated $20,791 in debt—roughly $3,200 less than the typical Texas chemistry program and well below the national median. Based on comparable programs across Texas, graduates enter the workforce earning around $41,800, which translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50. That's manageable territory, suggesting your child could potentially pay off student loans within a few years if they pursue entry-level lab, industrial, or quality control positions common for bachelor's-level chemists.
The challenge lies in the earnings ceiling. Top Texas programs like University of Houston and Texas A&M launch chemistry graduates at $48,000-$51,000—about $7,000-$9,000 more annually than what peer programs suggest for Tarleton. For a school with a 94% admission rate serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients, Tarleton provides accessible STEM training, but the tradeoff appears in first-year salary potential. The field itself rewards advanced degrees heavily, so if your child plans to stop at a bachelor's, they'll likely compete for the same industrial chemistry roles as graduates from more selective programs.
The lower debt load partially offsets the earnings gap, making this a defensible choice if your family prioritizes minimizing borrowing. Just recognize that the earnings estimates come from similar programs statewide, not Tarleton's specific track record, so actual outcomes could vary based on factors like internship quality and regional employer connections.
Where Tarleton State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (63 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tarleton State UniversityStephenville | $7,878 | $41,799* | — | $20,791* | — |
 University of HoustonHouston | $9,711 | $50,717* | $66,725 | $12,000* | 0.24 |
 Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station | $13,099 | $49,462* | $66,584 | $19,500* | 0.39 |
 The University of Texas at DallasRichardson | $14,564 | $48,783* | — | $20,747* | 0.43 |
 Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville | $9,228 | $43,940* | $51,532 | $28,775* | 0.65 |
 The University of Texas at AustinAustin | $11,678 | $43,383* | $58,652 | $18,500* | 0.43 |
| 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 Tarleton State University, approximately 37% 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 median of 12 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.