Chemistry at Trevecca Nazarene University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 sits in manageable territory for a STEM degree, though the limited graduate cohort here means we're working with estimates rather than confirmed outcomes. The $25,000 debt figure derives from national patterns at similar private institutions, while the $41,589 earnings estimate reflects what other Tennessee chemistry programs typically produce in that crucial first year.

The earnings estimate aligns almost exactly with Tennessee's median for chemistry degrees, suggesting this program likely performs comparably to state peers—including larger public universities like UT-Knoxville that report similar first-year figures. However, the estimated debt runs about 24% higher than Tennessee's median of $20,104, which is typical of the private school premium. Nationally, both figures track close to benchmarks, placing this squarely in "typical chemistry program" territory rather than standing out as either exceptional value or a red flag.

The real question is whether Trevecca's smaller program size (the reason data is suppressed) translates to advantages like closer faculty mentorship or research opportunities that justify the additional borrowing. With estimates suggesting you'll owe roughly seven months of first-year salary, the math works if the degree leads to employment—but chemistry graduates often need graduate school or specific industry connections to maximize earnings, making the strength of Trevecca's career network and lab facilities critical factors you'll need to investigate directly.