Compare 11 Chemistry. programs in North Carolina. Average earnings: $47,205.
The highest-earning Chemistry program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $33K earnings gap across 11 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Chemistry program leads with graduates earning $59,852. But Western Carolina University follows close behind at $58,765, proving that less selective programs can deliver comparable outcomes. The average across all programs is $47,205, highlighting how much program choice matters.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UNC Chapel Hill graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 5.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with the entire debt payable in about 3 months of salary.
Highest program earnings: $59,852
Strong outcomes ($58,765) with 87% acceptance
5.1% payment burden | Excellent
15.8% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $59,852 | 147 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $58,765 | 57 | $21,868 | Good | $18,241 | Manageable | |
| #3 | East Carolina UniversityPublic | $55,980 | 65 | $22,750 | Good | $19,710 | Challenging |
| #4 | $53,767 | 43 | $19,500 | Good | $22,737 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $51,055 | 43 | $20,231 | Good | $21,919 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $49,705 | 39 | $21,500 | Good | $19,809 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $44,784 | 14 | $25,000 | Manageable | $10,984 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $43,113 | 29 | $20,500 | Manageable | $20,305 | High | |
| #9 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $41,025 | 27 | $21,500 | Manageable | $30,000 | High |
| #10 | $33,993 | 40 | $20,121 | Challenging | $23,000 | High | |
| #11 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $27,216 | 41 | $13,000 | High | $27,998 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
