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Best Value Chemical Engineering Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Stanford University's Chemical Engineering program delivers the highest graduate earnings at $91,744 annually, yet costs only $12,136 net after aid - making it surprisingly affordable despite its $62,484 sticker price. This creates an unusual changing where private institutions like Stanford and Rice University compete directly with public options on actual affordability. CUNY City College offers the lowest net cost at just $3,486, though graduates earn $35,416 compared to Stanford's nearly triple figure. The chemical industry's Gulf Coast concentration explains why Texas schools like Rice and Lamar University produce strong earning graduates, with Rice reaching $83,915 and Lamar hitting $71,015 despite much lower costs. Public universities dominate the middle range, with University of Florida delivering $73,145 earnings for $6,351 net cost. These programs feed directly into America's $450 billion chemical manufacturing sector, where process engineers command premium salaries in petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and specialty materials production.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $19,678
Net Price Range
$67,541
Avg. Program Earnings
67.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Chemical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,351 $73,145 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
2 $3,486 $35,416 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
3 $6,747 $58,673 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
4 $12,136 $91,744 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
5 $8,896 $66,989 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
6 $12,640 $83,915 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
7 $8,931 $58,221 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
8 $11,877 $75,204 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
9 $9,957 $62,012 $8,064 36.1% 64.6%
10 $11,429 $71,015 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
11 $10,997 $68,305 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
12 $11,580 $68,305 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
13 $10,043 $58,898 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
14 $11,504 $66,989 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
15 $13,289 $74,307 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
16 $10,980 $61,064 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
17 $14,979 $80,718 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
18 $14,487 $76,460 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
19 $12,817 $67,324 $10,144 53.1% 82.7%
20 $14,773 $76,460 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
21 $14,832 $75,104 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
22 $13,773 $69,170 $14,278 63.6% 81.5%
23 $13,339 $66,989 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
24 $13,945 $69,897 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
25 $13,172 $65,894 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
26 $14,041 $70,009 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
27 $13,782 $68,499 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
28 $12,313 $60,714 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
29 $15,201 $74,279 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
30 $15,501 $74,307 $9,815 62.9% 75.2%
31 $12,997 $62,012 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
32 $14,059 $66,989 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
33 $14,981 $71,015 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
34 $10,204 $47,260 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
35 $13,485 $60,771 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
36 $14,013 $63,005 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
37 $15,729 $70,536 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
38 $17,525 $78,343 $9,748 70.0% 78.9%
39 $11,750 $52,464 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
40 $13,670 $61,020 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
41 $14,401 $64,121 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
42 $17,634 $77,715 $12,828 60.7% 81.5%
43 $16,928 $73,378 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
44 $13,825 $59,485 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
45 $12,684 $54,463 $5,274 47.0% 54.4%
46 $16,378 $70,176 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
47 $19,678 $82,830 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
48 $14,207 $59,576 $10,084 54.2% 78.1%
49 $14,118 $59,124 $10,418 52.0% 74.6%
50 $17,460 $72,742 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge earnings gap between the highest and lowest programs?

Stanford graduates earn $91,744 compared to CUNY City College's $35,416, a difference of over $56,000 annually. This gap reflects regional job markets, industry connections, and program selectivity. Stanford's 3.68% acceptance rate and Silicon Valley location connect students to high-paying biotech and semiconductor companies. CUNY serves a different market with broader access at 66.60% acceptance, preparing graduates for entry-level positions across various chemical sectors.

How do private universities compare to public schools on actual affordability?

Private schools like Stanford ($12,136 net) and Rice ($12,640 net) often cost less than their sticker prices suggest due to generous financial aid. These figures rival many public options like Georgia Tech at $13,289 net cost. However, public schools offer more predictable in-state pricing, with University of Florida charging just $6,381 for residents. The net price calculation includes grants and scholarships, making elite privates surprisingly accessible for many families.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Chemical Engineering?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with Stanford at 92.80% and Rice at 95.70% graduation rates. However, public schools like University of Florida achieve 91.50% completion at much lower cost. Some affordable options struggle with retention, as West Virginia University Institute of Technology graduates only 36.10% despite reasonable $9,957 net cost. Engineering's demanding curriculum makes institutional support and resources critical for student success.

Where do Chemical Engineering graduates find the best return on investment?

University of Florida offers strong value with $73,145 earnings for $6,351 net investment, creating a 11.5:1 earnings-to-cost ratio. Rice University also delivers strong returns at $83,915 earnings for $12,640 cost. Regional factors matter significantly, as Texas and Florida schools benefit from major petrochemical and aerospace industries. California schools like Cal State Long Beach produce solid $58,221 earnings for under $9,000 net cost, capitalizing on the state's large chemical sector.

Is acceptance rate a reliable indicator of program quality in Chemical Engineering?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically, from Stanford's selective 3.68% to Connecticut's Avery Point campus at 97.42%, yet both produce well-earning graduates. Georgia Tech maintains 17.13% acceptance while delivering $74,307 average earnings, showing selectivity can indicate program strength. However, less selective schools like New Mexico State (78.05% acceptance) still produce $58,673 earners. Program reputation, faculty research, and industry connections often matter more than admission difficulty for career outcomes.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.