Chemistry at William & Mary

William & Mary's chemistry program shows dramatically different outcomes depending on when you measure. That first year after graduation, with median earnings of $35,130, graduates trail both the national median ($42,581) and Virginia's state median ($39,090)—placing this program in the 20th percentile nationally. However, by year four, earnings surge to $72,660, more than doubling in just three years. This 107% growth rate suggests many graduates are pursuing graduate degrees or competitive fellowships before entering higher-paying career paths.

The $19,500 debt load is reasonable and well below both national and state medians, giving graduates financial flexibility during those lean early years. Still, the year-one debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 means new graduates are carrying debt equal to more than half their annual income initially. The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) also matters—these numbers could look quite different with a larger cohort, and the dramatic earnings jump might reflect just a handful of students landing exceptional positions.

For families comfortable with delayed earnings—whether for graduate school, research positions, or other career-building experiences—this program offers a manageable debt burden and strong eventual outcomes. But if your student needs immediate earning power after graduation, programs like George Mason ($50,304 year-one earnings) deliver more upfront, even if they come with higher debt.