Analysis
A chemistry bachelor's degree from Tuskegee appears to track closely with national norms, at least based on what peer programs suggest. With estimated first-year earnings around $42,600 and debt near $25,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 falls in reasonable territory—comparable programs nationwide produce similar outcomes. Chemistry programs across Alabama vary significantly, from UAB's graduates earning $34,000 to University of North Alabama's at nearly $50,000, so where you land depends heavily on post-graduation opportunities in industry, research, or graduate school.
The larger question is what your student plans to do with this degree. Chemistry often serves as a gateway to graduate programs in medicine, pharmacy, or research science, where the real earnings potential materializes. If the goal is direct entry to the workforce with just a bachelor's, that $42,600 starting point is modest but manageable given the debt load. Tuskegee's HBCU status and selectivity (31% admission rate) may provide networking advantages and research opportunities that don't show up in these estimated figures.
The uncertainty here cuts both ways: actual outcomes for Tuskegee chemistry graduates could be better or worse than these national estimates suggest. Before committing, verify what percentage of recent chemistry graduates secured jobs in their field versus continuing to graduate school, and what those paths typically pay.
Where Tuskegee University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (23 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23,440 | $42,581* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $11,990 | $49,497* | $70,485 | $24,830* | 0.50 | |
| $8,832 | $33,931* | — | $26,000* | 0.77 | |
| National Median | — | $42,581* | — | $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 Tuskegee University, approximately 48% 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 national median of 205 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.