Program Analysis
Graduates earn $46,659/yr, edging above the $41,256 national average for Chemistry — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
With a 12.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemistry career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $22,000 in median debt against $46,659 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville ranks #36 among 205 Chemistry programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 46% earnings increase from $46,659 to $68,130 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.