Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $32,143/yr fall 22% below the $41,256 national median for Chemistry. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
With a 19.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemistry career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $11,953 in median debt against $32,143 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
A #130 ranking among 205 Chemistry programs places Marshall University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The $32,143-to-$69,097 earnings arc over five years reflects a 115% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.