Chemistry: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 277 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$41,781 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
12.0 yrsModeled economic break-even
−16%Modeled 10-year ROI
$66,171Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$66,171Median reported earnings · year 4
$67,836Average reported earnings · year 5
$24,000Median federal debt
55thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
277Reporting programs
213With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $42,544
- Federal debt
- $13,818
- Reporting programs
- 1
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $60,787
- Federal debt
- $12,412
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $66,171
- Federal debt
- $24,000
- Reporting programs
- 277
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $95,163
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 9
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $116,122
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 38
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $90,234
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$60,064National median$66,17175th percentile$73,245
213 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1College of the Holy Cross$93,1222The College of New Jersey$90,3963Northeastern University$88,3644New York University$86,1975University of Connecticut$84,6096University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus$84,6097University of Connecticut-Avery Point$84,6098University of Connecticut-Stamford$84,6099University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus$84,60910University of Delaware$84,428Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Chemistry Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1052 · 12 crosswalk linksChemistsSOC 19-2031 · 12 crosswalk linksNatural Sciences ManagersSOC 11-9121 · 12 crosswalk linksChemical TechniciansSOC 19-4031 · 5 crosswalk linksForensic Science TechniciansSOC 19-4092 · 2 crosswalk linksComputer Occupations, All OtherSOC 15-1299 · 1 crosswalk linksComputer and Information Research ScientistsSOC 15-1221 · 1 crosswalk linksData ScientistsSOC 15-2051 · 1 crosswalk linksEnvironmental Science Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1053 · 1 crosswalk linksEnvironmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including HealthSOC 19-4042 · 1 crosswalk linksEnvironmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthSOC 19-2041 · 1 crosswalk linksFood Science TechniciansSOC 19-4013 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College of the Holy CrossBachelor's Degree | Worcester, MA | $93,122 | $27,000 | +44% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | The College of New JerseyBachelor's Degree | Ewing, NJ | $90,396 | $27,000 | +56% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | Northeastern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $88,364 | $24,500 | +43% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | New York UniversityBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $86,197 | $23,250 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $84,609 | $26,158 | +41% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $84,609 | $26,158 | +77% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $84,609 | $26,158 | +68% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $84,609 | $26,158 | +60% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $84,609 | $26,158 | +61% | Positive payoff |
| 10 | University of DelawareBachelor's Degree | Newark, DE | $84,428 | $24,893 | +57% | Positive payoff |
| 11 | University of California, BerkeleyBachelor's Degree | Berkeley, CA | $82,386 | $11,172 | +60% | Positive payoff |
| 12 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Durham, NH | $82,185 | Not available | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 13 | Drexel UniversityBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $82,185 | $29,667 | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 14 | University of OregonBachelor's Degree | Eugene, OR | $81,984 | $19,834 | +38% | Positive payoff |
| 15 | Salem State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salem, MA | $81,266 | $27,000 | +49% | Positive payoff |
| 16 | Bridgewater State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bridgewater, MA | $80,287 | $27,000 | +44% | Positive payoff |
| 17 | California State University, NorthridgeBachelor's Degree | Northridge, CA | $79,878 | Not available | +68% | Positive payoff |
| 18 | University of Maryland-College ParkBachelor's Degree | College Park, MD | $79,869 | $21,238 | +44% | Positive payoff |
| 19 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleBachelor's Degree | Knoxville, TN | $79,736 | $19,500 | +36% | Positive payoff |
| 20 | Rowan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Glassboro, NJ | $79,695 | $27,000 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 21 | Willamette UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salem, OR | $79,592 | $20,500 | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 22 | Cornell UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ithaca, NY | $79,311 | $15,121 | +16% | Positive payoff |
| 23 | University of Massachusetts-DartmouthBachelor's Degree | North Dartmouth, MA | $79,043 | $27,500 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 24 | Emory UniversityBachelor's Degree | Atlanta, GA | $79,034 | $20,000 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 25 | Boise State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boise, ID | $78,901 | $25,623 | +27% | Positive payoff |
| 26 | Oregon State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Corvallis, OR | $78,417 | $25,500 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 27 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBachelor's Degree | Bend, OR | $78,417 | $25,500 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 28 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstBachelor's Degree | Amherst, MA | $78,373 | Not available | +24% | Positive payoff |
| 29 | William & MaryBachelor's Degree | Williamsburg, VA | $78,270 | $19,500 | +30% | Positive payoff |
| 30 | Temple UniversityBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $78,052 | $24,000 | +13% | Positive payoff |
| 31 | George Mason UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairfax, VA | $77,681 | $24,250 | +30% | Positive payoff |
| 32 | Le Moyne CollegeBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $77,564 | Not available | +21% | Positive payoff |
| 33 | University of California, San DiegoBachelor's Degree | La Jolla, CA | $77,249 | $16,100 | +40% | Positive payoff |
| 34 | North Carolina State University at RaleighBachelor's Degree | Raleigh, NC | $76,978 | $20,154 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 35 | Metropolitan State University of DenverBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $76,759 | $29,318 | +32% | Positive payoff |
| 36 | Towson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Towson, MD | $76,296 | $23,000 | +25% | Positive payoff |
| 37 | Central Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ellensburg, WA | $75,905 | $24,607 | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 38 | SUNY College at GeneseoBachelor's Degree | Geneseo, NY | $75,893 | Not available | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 39 | University of California, IrvineBachelor's Degree | Irvine, CA | $74,810 | $13,276 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 40 | University of California, Santa BarbaraBachelor's Degree | Santa Barbara, CA | $74,713 | $15,805 | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 41 | San Diego State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Diego, CA | $74,676 | $17,499 | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 42 | James Madison UniversityBachelor's Degree | Harrisonburg, VA | $74,631 | $25,332 | +8% | Positive payoff |
| 43 | University of Massachusetts-LowellBachelor's Degree | Lowell, MA | $74,568 | $27,000 | +19% | Positive payoff |
| 44 | California State University, SacramentoBachelor's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $74,430 | $27,749 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 45 | Bloomfield College of Montclair State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bloomfield, NJ | $74,401 | $23,600 | +1% | Positive payoff |
| 46 | Montclair State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Montclair, NJ | $74,401 | $23,600 | +21% | Positive payoff |
| 47 | Indiana State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Terre Haute, IN | $73,623 | $23,081 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 48 | University of KentuckyBachelor's Degree | Lexington, KY | $73,549 | $22,500 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 49 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $73,395 | $26,497 | +1% | Positive payoff |
| 50 | California State University, StanislausBachelor's Degree | Turlock, CA | $73,392 | Not available | +39% | Positive payoff |
| 51 | University of California, DavisBachelor's Degree | Davis, CA | $73,365 | $14,000 | +19% | Positive payoff |
| 52 | Rutgers University-CamdenBachelor's Degree | Camden, NJ | $73,245 | $23,250 | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 53 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $73,245 | $23,250 | +2% | Positive payoff |
| 54 | Rutgers University-NewarkBachelor's Degree | Newark, NJ | $73,245 | $23,250 | +9% | Positive payoff |
| 55 | East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | East Stroudsburg, PA | $73,146 | Not available | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 56 | University of North AlabamaBachelor's Degree | Florence, AL | $72,885 | $24,830 | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 57 | Southern Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Haven, CT | $72,838 | $28,500 | +6% | Positive payoff |
| 58 | University of Cincinnati-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Cincinnati, OH | $72,302 | $23,750 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | University of California, Los AngelesBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $72,220 | $14,137 | +18% | Positive payoff |
| 60 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $72,025 | $18,500 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 61 | University of New HavenBachelor's Degree | West Haven, CT | $72,013 | $27,000 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | Stony Brook UniversityBachelor's Degree | Stony Brook, NY | $71,783 | $22,750 | +5% | Positive payoff |
| 63 | The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaBachelor's Degree | Chattanooga, TN | $71,634 | $24,999 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 64 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $71,620 | $21,158 | +8% | Positive payoff |
| 65 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsBachelor's Degree | Fort Collins, CO | $71,615 | $19,062 | +0% | Positive payoff |
| 66 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $71,559 | $25,225 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 67 | East Carolina UniversityBachelor's Degree | Greenville, NC | $71,445 | $24,250 | +9% | Positive payoff |
| 68 | University of California, Santa CruzBachelor's Degree | Santa Cruz, CA | $71,348 | $15,000 | +5% | Positive payoff |
| 69 | University of UtahBachelor's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $71,276 | $18,375 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 70 | Baldwin Wallace UniversityBachelor's Degree | Berea, OH | $71,252 | Not available | -10% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Portland State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Portland, OR | $70,948 | $24,773 | +19% | Positive payoff |
| 72 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBachelor's Degree | Pomona, CA | $70,741 | $23,750 | +14% | Positive payoff |
| 73 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $70,673 | $27,243 | +0% | Positive payoff |
| 74 | Grand Valley State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Allendale, MI | $70,611 | $25,000 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 75 | Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleBachelor's Degree | Edwardsville, IL | $70,541 | $25,000 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 76 | University of Pittsburgh-BradfordBachelor's Degree | Bradford, PA | $70,206 | $27,000 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 77 | University of Pittsburgh-GreensburgBachelor's Degree | Greensburg, PA | $70,206 | $27,000 | +0% | Positive payoff |
| 78 | University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownBachelor's Degree | Johnstown, PA | $70,206 | $27,000 | -0% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusBachelor's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $70,206 | $27,000 | -16% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $70,197 | $21,500 | +6% | Positive payoff |
| 81 | University at AlbanyBachelor's Degree | Albany, NY | $70,124 | $25,856 | +1% | Positive payoff |
| 82 | Millersville University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | Millersville, PA | $69,998 | $20,250 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | University of WyomingBachelor's Degree | Laramie, WY | $69,992 | Not available | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 84 | Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's Degree | College Station, TX | $69,662 | $19,500 | -7% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Rochester Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Rochester, NY | $68,926 | $24,677 | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Weber State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ogden, UT | $68,672 | Not available | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 87 | University of HoustonBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $68,504 | $12,000 | -1% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | University at BuffaloBachelor's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $68,413 | $23,250 | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | Western Illinois UniversityBachelor's Degree | Macomb, IL | $68,249 | $27,000 | +0% | Positive payoff |
| 90 | University of Virginia-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Charlottesville, VA | $68,174 | $19,425 | -13% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | Syracuse UniversityBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $68,017 | $21,459 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | Clemson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Clemson, SC | $67,996 | $27,000 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | California State University, Long BeachBachelor's Degree | Long Beach, CA | $67,818 | $15,680 | +3% | Positive payoff |
| 94 | Eastern Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ypsilanti, MI | $67,767 | $22,300 | -6% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | Purdue University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | West Lafayette, IN | $67,680 | $19,500 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | Wichita State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Wichita, KS | $67,475 | $26,000 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | Virginia Commonwealth UniversityBachelor's Degree | Richmond, VA | $67,439 | $21,872 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | Lewis UniversityBachelor's Degree | Romeoville, IL | $67,006 | $22,781 | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | Rhode Island CollegeBachelor's Degree | Providence, RI | $66,959 | $13,867 | +1% | Positive payoff |
| 100 | Monmouth UniversityBachelor's Degree | West Long Branch, NJ | $66,895 | $27,000 | -28% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.