Median Earnings (1yr)
$42,715
51st percentile
60th percentile in Louisiana
Est. Median Debt
$23,675
Est. from national median (196 programs)

Analysis

A chemistry degree from UL Lafayette appears to position graduates right in the middle of the national pack, with first-year earnings of $42,715 landing just above the national median of $42,581. While debt figures for this specific program aren't available due to small sample sizes, peer bachelor's programs at UL Lafayette typically produce an estimated $23,675 in debt—meaningfully lower than both the $24,000 national median for chemistry degrees and the $27,000 state median. That lighter debt load matters when you're starting at roughly median earnings.

Within Louisiana's chemistry landscape, UL Lafayette graduates earn slightly above the state median of $42,644 and essentially match Louisiana Tech's reported outcomes of $42,572. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 suggests manageable repayment: with typical loan terms, monthly payments would consume about 6% of gross monthly income. For a STEM degree at a school serving a significant population of Pell-eligible students (39%), these numbers reflect reasonable accessibility without sacrificing earning potential.

The practical takeaway: UL Lafayette's chemistry program delivers competitive Louisiana outcomes at what appears to be a lower price point than state peers. The middle-of-the-pack earnings are offset by below-average debt, creating a viable pathway into chemistry careers. Just remember these debt figures are estimates based on similar UL Lafayette programs—verify actual costs and available aid before committing.

Where University of Louisiana at Lafayette Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana

Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (19 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette$10,418$42,715$23,675*
Louisiana Tech UniversityRuston$10,125$42,572$27,000*0.63
National Median$42,581$24,000*0.56
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with chemistry graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chemists

Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

$86,620/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 Louisiana at Lafayette, approximately 39% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.