Chemistry at University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas chemistry graduates earn $34,872 in their first year—about $8,000 below the national median for chemistry majors. That's a significant gap, placing this program in just the 19th percentile nationally. However, context matters: this is actually the median salary for Arkansas chemistry programs, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. In other words, the issue isn't UArk underperforming; it's Arkansas wages lagging behind the rest of the country.

The debt picture is reasonable at $24,875, slightly above the national median but manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71. That means a graduate earning $35,000 could realistically handle these payments, though the lower starting salary will make budgeting tighter than it would be for chemistry grads in higher-wage states. For perspective, the University of Central Arkansas produces marginally higher earnings ($36,946), but the difference hardly justifies switching schools if your child prefers UArk's campus or programs.

The real question is whether your child plans to stay in Arkansas long-term. If they're willing to relocate after graduation to states with stronger chemical or pharmaceutical industries, that UArk degree can open doors to substantially higher salaries. If they're committed to staying local, understand that $35,000 is the realistic starting point, and career growth will matter more than which Arkansas school they attend.