Chemistry at University of Missouri-Columbia

Mizzou's chemistry program produces graduates earning about $5,000 more than the typical Missouri chemistry major and $3,000 above the national median—a meaningful advantage in a state where your other main public options cluster around $39-41K. The $20,500 debt load is also notably lighter than both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that's comfortably manageable at 0.45.

The catch? These numbers come from a very small graduating class, so they could swing considerably year to year. One or two students landing unusually high- or low-paying positions can distort the picture. Still, the pattern makes sense: Mizzou is Missouri's flagship research university with established chemistry research programs and recruiting pipelines that smaller regional schools might not match.

For an in-state student, this represents solid value—lower debt and higher early earnings than competing Missouri programs. The 71st percentile national ranking suggests decent but not exceptional positioning if you're considering out-of-state alternatives. Just recognize you're making this decision based on limited data points. If your student is serious about chemistry and Missouri residency keeps costs reasonable, the fundamentals look sound enough to proceed confidently.