Chemistry at University of Missouri-Kansas City

UMKC's chemistry program lands solidly in the middle of Missouri's offerings, but the small graduating class—fewer than 30 students tracked—makes these numbers less reliable than data from larger programs. Starting at $39,725, graduates earn about $2,700 less than Missouri's median for chemistry degrees and trail flagship Mizzou by roughly $5,500. That's not disastrous, but it means your student will likely start behind peers from competing state schools.

The debt picture offers some reassurance: at $24,821, it's nearly identical to both state and national averages, creating a manageable 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates see solid 20% earnings growth to $47,533 by year four, suggesting the degree opens doors even if the starting salary isn't spectacular. Still, with only 30% of Missouri chemistry programs performing worse, this isn't a standout option in a state with 32 choices.

For a chemistry major planning graduate school or professional programs (where undergraduate prestige matters less), UMKC's combination of manageable debt and Kansas City's research hospital network could work fine. But if your student plans to enter the workforce immediately, consider whether Mizzou or Missouri State might justify any additional cost. The small sample size here means one or two high earners—or low earners—could be skewing the picture considerably.