Analysis
Based on comparable chemistry programs across Indiana, this degree appears to track right at the state median for earnings while carrying slightly more debt than typical. Students from similar programs earn around $42,580 in their first year—nearly identical to the national benchmark—but the estimated $24,994 in debt edges above what most Indiana chemistry graduates carry.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 suggests manageable payments, though it's worth noting that chemistry programs at Indiana's flagship universities produce similar or better first-year outcomes. Purdue chemistry graduates, for instance, start about $4,600 higher, while Ball State and IU-Bloomington cluster right around this program's estimated range. The University of Saint Francis serves a population where 43% receive Pell grants, which may partly explain the higher borrowing levels—students here likely need more financial aid to complete their degrees.
For a chemistry bachelor's, these numbers indicate a functional investment rather than an exceptional one. The salary supports the debt load, and the field typically offers clear career paths in labs, quality control, or further graduate study. The question is whether this specific program opens the same doors as Indiana's research universities. Without direct outcome data for this campus, that remains uncertain, making it critical to investigate job placement rates and graduate school admissions before committing.
Where University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (36 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,420 | $42,580* | — | $24,994* | — | |
| $9,992 | $47,213* | $48,715 | $19,500* | 0.41 | |
| $11,790 | $42,889* | $59,000 | $17,000* | 0.40 | |
| $10,758 | $42,677* | $42,387 | $25,000* | 0.59 | |
| $10,449 | $42,482* | $52,352 | $21,902* | 0.52 | |
| $36,136 | $40,612* | — | $23,214* | 0.57 | |
| 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 Saint Francis-Fort Wayne, approximately 43% 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 6 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.