Chemistry at University of Nebraska at Omaha

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 puts this chemistry program in manageable territory, though both figures come from national medians rather than UNO's specific outcomes. The estimated $23,675 in debt sits slightly below the national benchmark for chemistry degrees ($24,000), while projected first-year earnings of $42,581 match the national median exactly. For a field like chemistry where lab skills and research opportunities matter considerably, the lack of program-specific data makes it harder to gauge whether UNO's particular strengths translate into career advantages.

Chemistry degrees typically open doors to varied paths—quality control, pharmaceutical sales, research tech positions, or graduate school—and that $42,581 starting point could rise substantially with specialization or advanced credentials. However, with 87% of applicants admitted and moderate Pell enrollment, UNO serves a different student population than more selective research universities, which may affect both the rigor of preparation and networking opportunities that chemistry graduates need.

The practical challenge here is that you're evaluating based on what similar programs produce nationwide, not what UNO chemistry graduates actually achieve. If your child thrives in accessible environments and plans to stay in Omaha's growing biotech or healthcare sectors, the estimated debt load won't be crushing. But given the uncertainty, confirm whether UNO's chemistry program offers robust internship placement, modern instrumentation, and strong graduate school advising—factors that peer data can't capture.