Chemistry at University of South Florida

A chemistry degree from USF starts slow but shows meaningful recovery—first-year graduates earn just $29,399, well below both national ($42,581) and Florida ($31,663) medians. However, by year four, earnings jump to $43,755, surpassing the national median and putting graduates ahead of nearly half the state's chemistry programs. This 49% earnings growth suggests either delayed entry into chemistry careers or graduates initially taking positions outside their field before finding better opportunities.

The debt picture offers real relief here. At $16,013, USF chemistry graduates carry substantially less debt than both the national ($24,000) and state ($19,706) medians—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 means graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary, manageable even during that difficult initial period. This lighter debt load matters considerably when early earnings disappoint.

The question is whether your child can weather that first year earning less than $30,000. If they'll live at home or have financial support during that transition period, USF's combination of lower debt and eventual solid earnings makes practical sense. If they need immediate income post-graduation, the top Florida programs—UCF and FSU—start graduates $10,000+ higher. USF's chemistry program works as a value play for students who can afford patience, but the slow launch is real.