WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-13% vs national median269 grads tracked

Chemistry at Western Carolina University

Ranked 261st of 293 bachelor's programs in Chemistry by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$35,986
middle 50%: $24,938 – $47,472
Median · 5 years out
$57,663
middle 50%: $41,492 – $71,370
Median · 10 years out
$74,805
middle 50%: $53,767 – $98,712

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 Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Chemistry earn a median $35,986 one year after graduating, rising to $74,805 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 13% below the national median of $65,938 for this field, ranking 261st 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
7.4 yrs
≈ $8,913 total interest

Same major at other universities

Black Hills State University
$58,734 · 5 yrs out
Berry College
$58,637 · 5 yrs out
Southeast Missouri State University
$58,476 · 5 yrs out
South Dakota State University
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at El Paso
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southwestern State University
$57,867 · 5 yrs out
Northern State University
$57,619 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina Asheville
$57,334 · 5 yrs out
University of West Georgia
$57,265 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota Morris
$57,124 · 5 yrs out
Missouri Western State University
$57,124 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University-Pueblo
$56,877 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Carolina University

Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out

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