Chemistry at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

The $27,500 debt load here sits at the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of chemistry graduates leave with more debt—which gives UMass Dartmouth a significant financial advantage from the start. While first-year earnings data for this specific program isn't available, similar chemistry programs in Massachusetts typically produce starting salaries around $47,000. Combined with this modest debt, that would translate to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, well within manageable territory for a science degree.

The real question is whether UMass Dartmouth's outcomes track with state peers. Chemistry programs at nearby publics like Salem State and Bridgewater State report first-year earnings between $49,000 and $55,000, suggesting Massachusetts chemistry graduates generally do well even at less selective institutions. Given UMass Dartmouth's 92% admission rate and similar public mission, comparable performance seems plausible. The low debt burden means even if graduates land toward the lower end of that range, they're still entering a livable financial situation.

For parents, the key advantage here is downside protection: your child would graduate with significantly less debt than most chemistry majors nationwide while pursuing a degree that typically leads to stable employment. The uncertainty around specific outcomes at UMass Dartmouth matters less when the debt exposure is this limited.