Chemistry at The University of the South

A University of the South chemistry degree comes with estimated debt of roughly $25,000—slightly above Tennessee's typical $20,000 for the field but in line with what private schools nationally charge. Based on comparable chemistry programs in Tennessee, first-year earnings around $41,600 seem reasonable to expect, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 that should allow manageable repayment.

What's harder to assess is whether Sewanee's particular advantages—small class sizes, research opportunities at a selective liberal arts college—translate into better outcomes than the state average suggests. The school's 1336 average SAT and 51% admission rate indicate a capable student body, but with only 15% of students receiving Pell grants, you're also paying for a certain network and environment. Chemistry programs across Tennessee cluster tightly around $41,600 in first-year earnings, from UT-Knoxville to regional state universities, which raises questions about whether this program's premium cost structure delivers measurably different career prospects.

The fundamental trade-off is straightforward: you're looking at roughly $5,000 more in debt than Tennessee's chemistry median for outcomes that peer programs suggest will be similar. If Sewanee's research culture and graduate school placement matter to your child's goals, that premium might pay off in ways these estimates don't capture. If the chemistry degree is primarily pre-professional training, state universities offer comparable estimated earnings with lighter debt loads.