Analysis
A chemistry bachelor's degree from UND comes with estimated costs and returns that fall squarely in the middle of what similar programs produce nationwide. Based on national patterns across chemistry programs, graduates can expect to earn around $42,600 in their first year while carrying roughly $23,700 in debt—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 that's manageable by most standards. This means debt would represent about seven months of that first year's salary, allowing for reasonable repayment while building a career in chemical sciences or related fields.
The challenge here is uncertainty. With no reported outcomes data from UND's program specifically, and no comparable North Dakota programs with public data either, you're relying entirely on national patterns to gauge value. Chemistry degrees typically open doors to lab work, quality control positions, and graduate school pathways, but actual outcomes for UND graduates remain opaque. The university's 77% admission rate and relatively low Pell grant percentage (16%) suggest it serves primarily middle-income students, but whether UND's chemistry program connects graduates to regional employers or research opportunities isn't captured in these estimates.
If your child is committed to chemistry and UND offers strong lab facilities, faculty mentorship, or industry connections in North Dakota's energy or agricultural sectors, the estimated financial picture isn't prohibitive. But contact the department directly to understand actual graduate outcomes—where recent chemistry majors landed jobs, what they're earning, and whether the program prepares students for the specific career path your child envisions.
Where University of North Dakota Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Chemistry bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,951 | $42,581* | — | $23,675* | — | |
| $63,141 | $62,511* | $88,634 | $24,500* | 0.39 | |
| $14,850 | $59,576* | $64,496 | $11,172* | 0.19 | |
| $14,766 | $55,389* | — | $23,600* | 0.43 | |
| $11,389 | $55,376* | $67,363 | $27,000* | 0.49 | |
| $16,080 | $54,055* | $67,828 | $24,893* | 0.46 | |
| 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 North Dakota, approximately 16% 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 national median of 205 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.