WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-8% vs national median141 grads tracked

Chemistry at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 232nd of 293 bachelor's programs in Chemistry by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$42,192
middle 50%: $31,171 – $52,778
Median · 5 years out
$60,761
middle 50%: $48,165 – $72,371
Median · 10 years out
$81,295
middle 50%: $65,011 – $105,099

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Chemistry (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's bachelor's program in Chemistry earn a median $42,192 one year after graduating, rising to $81,295 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 8% below the national median of $65,938 for this field, ranking 232nd of 293 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
6.8 yrs
≈ $7,966 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of North Carolina at Wilmington (The)
$61,283 · 5 yrs out
Missouri State University
$61,218 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$61,121 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$61,121 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina Central University
$60,961 · 5 yrs out
Southern Oregon University
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$60,696 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University in Shreveport
$60,590 · 5 yrs out
DePaul University
$60,272 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Oklahoma
$60,118 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Commerce
$60,118 · 5 yrs out
Spelman College
$59,848 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out

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