Analysis
Similar chemistry programs in Michigan suggest first-year earnings around $39,700βmodestly below the national median of $42,600 but squarely in line with what most state schools report. For a bachelor's in chemistry, that debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 looks manageable, especially when compared to peer programs at larger Michigan institutions where outcomes range from $35,800 at Wayne State to $46,500 at Grand Valley.
What's harder to assess here is trajectory. Chemistry grads often improve earnings significantly as they gain lab experience or pursue graduate work, but without this program's specific data, it's difficult to know whether Olivet's curriculum and connections support those pathways. The school's 97% admission rate and high Pell population (42%) suggest it serves students who might not otherwise access a chemistry degree, which has valueβbut you're estimating outcomes based on state averages that include far larger research universities with different resources.
The debt figure appears reasonable at just under $25,000, and the immediate financial burden shouldn't overwhelm a typical chemistry salary. But given the uncertainty around Olivet's specific outcomes, you'll want to investigate where recent grads actually landed jobs, whether the program feeds into graduate schools, and how lab facilities and faculty research compare to nearby alternatives like Grand Valley or Michigan State.
Where The University of Olivet Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (31 total in state)
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33,076 | $39,736* | β | $24,994* | β | |
| $14,628 | $46,496* | $51,621 | $25,000* | 0.54 | |
| $15,510 | $45,060* | β | $22,300* | 0.49 | |
| $58,764 | $39,940* | $75,833 | $27,000* | 0.68 | |
| $15,988 | $39,531* | $49,494 | $28,481* | 0.72 | |
| $14,297 | $35,813* | $33,275 | $21,590* | 0.60 | |
| National Median | β | $42,581* | β | $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 The University of Olivet, approximately 42% 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 6 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.