Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $31,980/yr fall 22% below the $41,256 national median for Chemistry. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 12.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $25,314 debt-to-$31,980 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #158 out of 205 programs, Western Illinois University's financial outcomes for Chemistry trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $31,980 to $71,894 over five years (125% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.