Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $26,513/yr fall 36% below the $41,256 national median for Chemistry. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 35.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemistry programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Chemistry's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $19,618 represents roughly 9 months of the $26,513 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #155 of 205 Chemistry programs, Western Carolina University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $58,765 show a 122% jump from the $26,513 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.