Chemistry at Wichita State University

Wichita State's chemistry program operates right at the national median for earnings, but there's an unusual wrinkle: graduates actually earn slightly less four years out ($41,713) than they do in their first year ($43,740). This backward trajectory is uncommon for STEM fields and worth understanding—it might reflect graduates taking temporary lab positions before moving into grad school, or it could signal challenges in the local job market for bachelor's-level chemists.

The debt picture offers some reassurance. At $26,000, graduates borrow about what chemistry majors typically carry nationwide, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59. That means the typical graduate could theoretically pay off their loans in about seven months of gross income. However, the program ranks only in the 40th percentile among Kansas chemistry programs—Fort Hays State graduates earn slightly more right out of the gate with similar debt levels.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year-to-year, so they're better viewed as directional rather than definitive. For Kansas families, this program delivers a solid chemistry education at Wichita State's accessible price point, but the earnings data suggests graduates should have clear plans—whether that's graduate school, specific industry connections, or geographic flexibility—to maximize their degree's value.