Chemistry at Vermont State University

A chemistry bachelor's degree at Vermont State comes with an estimated debt load of about $23,675—close to the national median for this field. When paired with first-year earnings that peer programs suggest around $42,600, this produces a debt-to-earnings ratio just above 0.5. That's a manageable burden if the earnings trajectory holds, though it's worth noting these figures come from comparable programs nationally, not Vermont State's own graduates.

Chemistry degrees can lead in multiple directions—some graduates head to lab positions with modest starting pay, while others use the credential as a stepping stone to graduate programs in pharmacy, medicine, or specialized research. The challenge is that without school-specific data, it's difficult to know whether Vermont State's program tilts toward the stronger or weaker end of these outcomes. The relatively high admission rate and modest Pell grant enrollment suggest this isn't a highly selective program, which could affect both the rigor and the professional networks available to students.

The practical question: Can your child service roughly $240 monthly in loan payments on a $42,000 salary? Probably, but with limited room for error. If graduate school is in the plan, that changes the calculation—additional debt could stack up quickly. Press the school for placement data showing where recent chemistry graduates actually landed, not just where chemistry majors generally go.