Chemistry at Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University's chemistry program shows an unusual earnings pattern that makes it difficult to evaluate with confidence. First-year graduates earn just $31,980—well below both the Illinois median of $44,860 and the national average. At the 25th percentile statewide, this trails not just flagship programs like UIUC but also regional competitors by significant margins. However, the 79% earnings jump to $57,236 by year four suggests graduates may be starting in positions that don't require a chemistry degree before transitioning to career-track roles.

The debt picture offers some reassurance: $27,000 is manageable and sits at the 5th percentile nationally, meaning few chemistry programs saddle students with less debt. The debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio of 0.84 looks reasonable, though that calculation is less meaningful when initial earnings are so low. The real question is why graduates start so far behind peers from similar Illinois schools—whether it's geographic factors (Macomb is quite rural), career services support, or simply the types of jobs students initially pursue.

The major caveat here is sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, these numbers could shift substantially with just a few data points. For parents, this program might work if your child plans to pursue graduate school (making the first-year salary less relevant) or if the lower cost of attendance creates overall savings. Otherwise, chemistry programs at Northern Illinois or SIU-Edwardsville offer stronger early earnings without substantially more debt.