Chemistry at University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon

A chemistry bachelor's degree from UPR-Bayamon carries an estimated $23,675 in debt—nearly double what Puerto Rico chemistry programs typically report ($12,875 median)—while peer programs in the state suggest dramatically lower earnings than the national $42,581 figure used for this estimate. The state's two largest chemistry programs with actual data show graduates earning between $16,500 and $22,700 in their first year, painting a very different picture than national benchmarks would suggest. This discrepancy matters because chemistry graduates in Puerto Rico face a fundamentally different job market than their mainland counterparts.

The debt-to-earnings calculation looks manageable at 0.56 if you use the national earnings estimate, but becomes considerably less attractive if actual outcomes align more closely with Puerto Rico's $19,604 state median for chemistry programs. At that income level, the debt burden would represent more than a full year's salary. With 78% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are choosing this program precisely because they need strong financial returns, yet the evidence from comparable programs suggests those returns may be elusive.

Your child would be entering a program where we simply don't know the actual graduate outcomes—and where the available evidence from similar Puerto Rico programs points toward significantly lower earnings than national estimates would suggest. Unless your family has specific connections to research institutions or mainland opportunities, this investment requires serious scrutiny about post-graduation plans.