Analysis
Chemistry programs in Wisconsin cluster tightly around $49,000 in first-year earnings, and UW-Green Bay's estimated outcomes align perfectly with this state median. Based on comparable programs across Wisconsin's public universities, graduates here can expect to start near $48,900—meaningfully above the $42,600 national benchmark for chemistry degrees. The estimated debt load of $25,625 produces a manageable 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary.
What's encouraging is how little variation exists among Wisconsin's chemistry programs. Whether students attend UW-Madison or smaller campuses like Green Bay, similar programs suggest first-year earnings stay within a $5,000 band. This pattern indicates the degree itself—and Wisconsin's industrial base in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture—drives outcomes more than institutional prestige. With an 88% admission rate, UW-Green Bay offers accessible entry to these statewide chemistry career pathways.
The practical takeaway: if your student wants to study chemistry and stay in Wisconsin, peer program data suggests UW-Green Bay will likely deliver comparable career outcomes to more selective state schools, at what appears to be similar debt levels. The risk here isn't the program's positioning—it's whether chemistry itself aligns with your student's career goals, since these starting salaries, while solid, don't offer the premium some STEM fields command.
Where University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all chemistry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Chemistry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (28 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,342 | $48,895* | — | $25,625* | — | |
| $9,277 | $50,659* | $54,532 | $23,250* | 0.46 | |
| $8,315 | $49,386* | — | $26,000* | 0.53 | |
| $8,250 | $48,903* | $54,746 | $25,250* | 0.52 | |
| $11,205 | $48,886* | $62,892 | $26,043* | 0.53 | |
| $36,500 | $45,188* | — | $27,000* | 0.60 | |
| 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 Wisconsin-Green Bay, approximately 23% 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 WI. Actual outcomes may vary.