Chemistry at Wilmington College

Similar chemistry programs in Ohio suggest a first-year salary around $43,300—right in line with the national median for chemistry graduates—but the estimated $27,000 debt load at Wilmington College sits higher than what most comparable programs produce. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 means monthly loan payments would consume roughly 9% of gross income, which is manageable but not generous for a starting chemist.

The challenge here is that larger Ohio programs with reported outcomes—Cincinnati, Cleveland State, Bowling Green—are producing slightly better results, with graduates earning $44,000 to $48,000 in their first year while typically carrying less debt. Wilmington's 85% admission rate and Pell grant population suggest the college serves students who might not have access to these alternatives, but that doesn't change the economics: you're looking at similar or potentially higher borrowing for what peer institutions suggest will be comparable entry-level opportunities.

If your child is committed to chemistry and Wilmington offers something specific—smaller classes, a particular research focus, proximity to home—the financial picture isn't alarming. But you should verify actual job placement rates and ask what percentage of recent graduates found chemistry-related work within a year. Without that information, you're betting on estimates that could swing either direction depending on how effectively this small program connects students to regional employers.