Compare 71 Chemistry. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $48,280.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Chemistry tells a different story. Across 71 programs in the Midwest, earnings range from $55,756 to $75,833—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The $20K spread proves that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Kalamazoo College's Chemistry program leads with graduates earning $75,833, well above the regional average of $48,280. Butler University follows at $73,619, while University of Indianapolis rounds out the top three at $67,717. These smaller institutions outperform many larger universities, demonstrating that program excellence isn't tied to overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 6.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families including parent loans, University of Minnesota-Duluth leads with a 14.6% family burden—manageable payments that won't derail post-graduation finances.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kalamazoo CollegePrivate | $75,833 | 38 | $26,077 | Excellent | $49,500 | Challenging |
| #2 | Butler UniversityPrivate | $73,619 | 26 | $26,000 | Excellent | $52,434 | Challenging |
| #3 | University Of IndianapolisPrivate | $67,717 | 23 | $26,864 | Good | $23,490 | Manageable |
| #4 | $66,981 | 41 | $22,024 | Excellent | $22,127 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $64,031 | 121 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $63,474 | 41 | $24,000 | Good | $31,458 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $63,276 | 173 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $62,892 | 76 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $62,319 | 66 | $21,250 | Excellent | $23,602 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $61,068 | 8 | $25,000 | Good | $18,264 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $59,546 | 39 | $24,500 | Good | $21,394 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $59,354 | 14 | $22,750 | Good | $14,381 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $59,000 | 42 | $19,509 | Excellent | $32,850 | Challenging | |
| #14 | Valparaiso UniversityPrivate | $58,900 | 22 | $26,942 | Good | $28,500 | Challenging |
| #15 | $57,878 | 43 | $20,500 | Excellent | $21,500 | Manageable | |
| #16 | St Olaf CollegePrivate | $57,761 | 34 | $26,000 | Good | $40,568 | High |
| #17 | $57,438 | 18 | $20,500 | Good | $14,500 | Manageable | |
| #18 | $57,236 | 23 | $25,251 | Good | $20,764 | Challenging | |
| #19 | $56,116 | 27 | $22,162 | Good | $19,508 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $55,756 | 16 | $23,000 | Good | $16,149 | Manageable | |
| #21 | $55,606 | 45 | $21,056 | Good | $23,508 | Challenging | |
| #22 | $55,512 | 25 | $25,000 | Good | $25,947 | Challenging | |
| #23 | $55,195 | 19 | $21,797 | Good | $16,998 | Manageable | |
| #24 | $54,746 | 22 | $23,188 | Good | $18,635 | Challenging | |
| #25 | $54,532 | 32 | $20,909 | Good | $12,452 | Manageable |
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 →
