Analysis
Drawing on comparable chemistry programs across Ohio, Mount Union appears to track right at the state median with estimated first-year earnings around $43,000—essentially matching the national benchmark for bachelor's-level chemistry graduates. The estimated $27,000 debt load, while slightly above typical chemistry program debt in the state, yields a manageable 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests graduates could reasonably service their loans.
What's worth noting is how tightly clustered Ohio chemistry earnings are. The top-performing programs in the state—Cincinnati, Cleveland State, Akron—report outcomes in the $44,000 to $48,000 range, just 10-20% above what similar programs suggest for Mount Union. This narrow spread indicates that for chemistry majors, where you study in Ohio may matter less than what you do with the degree: laboratory positions, quality control roles, and graduate school pathways are available to competent chemistry graduates regardless of institutional prestige.
The caveat here is that these figures are based on peer programs, not Mount Union's actual graduate outcomes. If your child is serious about chemistry—planning for graduate school or targeting specific industry roles—the debt level is reasonable enough that the program could work. But given the uncertainty, confirm that Mount Union offers strong lab infrastructure and faculty mentorship, since those tangible factors will drive outcomes more than the name on the diploma.
Where University of Mount Union Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (53 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,400 | $43,349* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $12,613 | $48,147* | $55,195 | $24,744* | 0.51 | |
| $13,570 | $47,387* | $62,319 | $23,750* | 0.50 | |
| $12,799 | $44,970* | — | $27,500* | 0.61 | |
| $14,081 | $43,840* | $55,512 | $26,000* | 0.59 | |
| $6,178 | $43,349* | $55,606 | $25,751* | 0.59 | |
| 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 Mount Union, approximately 29% 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 13 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.