Chemistry at Tennessee Technological University

This chemistry program carries a debt load of $20,104—below both the national median of $24,000 and comfortably in line with the state average. While first-year earnings data for Tennessee Tech specifically isn't available, comparable chemistry programs across Tennessee typically start graduates around $41,589. That figure puts the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.48, suggesting graduates would devote roughly half their first-year salary to debt—manageable territory for a STEM credential.

The four-year earnings figure of $45,419 tracks closely with both state peers and national benchmarks, though it doesn't show the dramatic salary growth some chemistry graduates experience. Tennessee Tech sits alongside UT-Knoxville and UT-Chattanooga in producing similar outcomes, while Austin Peay edges slightly higher and Memphis trails. For a school with an 83% admission rate serving a significant population of Pell-eligible students (31%), these results suggest the program delivers solid middle-class entry points without saddling graduates with excessive debt.

The conservative debt level is the real story here. Even if actual starting salaries differ somewhat from the state median estimate, the sub-$21,000 debt figure creates meaningful breathing room for graduates entering industry, pursuing graduate school, or navigating a slower job search. That's a practical advantage over pricier alternatives.