Chemistry at Texas State University

Texas State's chemistry program carries significant uncertainty due to its small sample size, but the available data suggests solid value if the pattern holds. While starting salaries of $42,897 barely crack the national median, graduates in this cohort nearly doubled their earnings within four years—reaching $70,396, which would place them well above typical chemistry outcomes. Among Texas chemistry programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing flagship programs like UT Austin and Texas A&M but competitive with regional peers. The $27,500 debt load sits comfortably below both state and national benchmarks, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.64.

The dramatic earnings trajectory is the wildcard here. That 64% growth rate suggests either strong graduate school outcomes or entry into higher-paying specialties after initial lab technician roles. However, with fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset, you're essentially looking at one or two career paths that went exceptionally well—not necessarily a reliable pattern. The low debt is the program's most dependable strength.

For a student considering Texas State chemistry, treat this as a reasonable safety option with manageable debt rather than a premium program. If your child is competitive for UT Austin or Texas A&M (where starting salaries begin $6,000-$8,000 higher), those remain stronger bets. But for students attracted to San Marcos's smaller campus environment, the financial risk appears limited—just don't bank on that 64% salary growth being typical.