Analysis
Chemistry bachelor's programs in Indiana cluster tightly around $42,500 in first-year earnings, and this program appears to land right in that range based on peer outcomes. With an estimated debt load near $25,000—close to both state and national medians—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 suggests graduates could reasonably manage repayment, requiring roughly half a year's salary to cover what they borrowed. That's a manageable starting point for a science degree that often serves as a stepping stone to graduate school or industry positions.
The challenge here is that Indiana's chemistry job market doesn't appear to reward graduates differently across institutions. Purdue's reported $47,200 sits at the top, but even that's only $5,000 above what similar programs produce statewide. For a family choosing between Evansville and a large public university, the earnings difference based on available data is minimal—the decision likely hinges more on fit, research opportunities, or graduate school placement rates than first-year salary expectations.
If your child is committed to chemistry and Evansville offers strong faculty relationships or research access, the estimated financial picture doesn't raise red flags. But confirm what share of recent graduates continue to graduate programs versus enter the workforce directly, since that context matters enormously for interpreting a $42,500 starting point.
Where University of Evansville Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (36 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $42,676 | $42,580* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $9,992 | $47,213* | $48,715 | $19,500* | 0.41 | |
| $11,790 | $42,889* | $59,000 | $17,000* | 0.40 | |
| $10,758 | $42,677* | $42,387 | $25,000* | 0.59 | |
| $10,449 | $42,482* | $52,352 | $21,902* | 0.52 | |
| $36,136 | $40,612* | — | $23,214* | 0.57 | |
| 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 University of Evansville, approximately 23% 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 IN. Actual outcomes may vary.