Chemistry at The Catholic University of America

A chemistry bachelor's from Catholic University would likely saddle graduates with around $25,000 in debt—slightly above the national median for chemistry programs but below DC's typical $27,000. Based on what similar chemistry programs across the country produce, first-year earnings would land around $42,600, which puts the debt burden at a manageable 59% of that initial salary.

That debt-to-earnings ratio is workable, though the absolute earnings figure deserves scrutiny. Chemistry programs nationally show wide variation in outcomes depending on whether graduates pursue lab work, teaching, or graduate school. The $42,600 estimate represents a median, meaning half of comparable programs see lower first-year returns. In an expensive city like Washington, DC, where cost of living will eat significantly into take-home pay, that starting salary may feel tight even with modest debt.

The critical unknown here is where Catholic University's specific program lands within that national distribution. The school's 84% admission rate suggests it's accessible but not particularly selective, which could mean its chemistry graduates face stiffer competition for higher-paying positions than peers from more competitive programs. If your student is considering this path, the investment hinges entirely on their post-graduation plans—grad school, industry positions, or teaching will produce vastly different financial trajectories.