Best Value Chemical Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown delivers chemical engineering education at just $18,952 net cost while graduates earn $68,422 annually, creating one of the strongest value propositions in Pennsylvania. This 97% acceptance rate contrasts sharply with elite programs like University of Pennsylvania, where the same major costs $31,229 but leads to $74,576 in earnings. Pennsylvania's chemical industry, anchored by major pharmaceutical companies and petrochemical facilities along the Ohio River, provides abundant internship and career opportunities. The state's 11 programs span from accessible public options to highly selective private institutions, with net costs ranging from under $19,000 to nearly $45,000.

Programs

$18,952 – $44,876

Net Price Range

$71,371

Avg. Program Earnings

80.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Chemical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, Pennsylvania	$18,952	$68,422	$14,646	53.4%	97.4%
2	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$31,229	$74,576	$66,104	96.8%	6.5%
3	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$31,671	$75,432	$63,829	92.5%	11.3%
4	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$30,074	$68,422	$21,524	84.3%	49.1%
5	Widener University Chester, Pennsylvania	$30,470	$67,660	$53,638	63.5%	87.7%
6	Lehigh University Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	$33,549	$74,200	$62,180	89.2%	37.0%
7	Lafayette College Easton, Pennsylvania	$32,496	$68,379	$62,574	88.1%	33.6%
8	Bucknell University Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	$40,429	$76,460	$64,772	86.2%	32.6%
9	Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$38,428	$71,661	$60,663	77.1%	79.6%
10	Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania	$44,876	$68,499	$64,701	92.4%	23.4%
11	Geneva College Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania	$21,043		$33,610	61.5%	79.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown such strong value for chemical engineering?

Students pay just $18,952 in net costs while earning $68,422 after graduation, creating an excellent return on investment. The program maintains a 97% acceptance rate, making it accessible to most applicants while delivering solid career outcomes.

How do Pennsylvania's private chemical engineering programs compare in cost and earnings?

Private programs range from $30,470 at Widener to $44,876 at Villanova in net costs. Bucknell graduates earn the highest at $76,460, while most private school graduates earn between $67,660 and $75,432 annually.

Does the University of Pennsylvania justify its selectivity for chemical engineering?

With only 6.5% acceptance rate, UPenn is highly selective but graduates earn $74,576 with low debt of $20,500. The 96.8% graduation rate demonstrates strong student support and program completion.

Where do Pennsylvania chemical engineering graduates typically find employment?

Major pharmaceutical companies, UPMC's research divisions, and petrochemical facilities provide regional opportunities. Pennsylvania's established chemical industry offers internships and full-time positions across manufacturing, research, and process engineering roles.

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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.