Best Colleges for Chemistry

Chemistry graduates enter a growing field with strong earning potential, as the median starting salary of $37,290 reflects solid career prospects across industries from pharmaceuticals to environmental science. When evaluating chemistry programs, students should prioritize schools with well-equipped laboratories, research opportunities, and faculty engaged in cutting-edge work. Look for programs offering hands-on experience through internships and undergraduate research projects that build practical skills employers value. Strong career services and industry connections also matter significantly for job placement after graduation. With 259 schools offering chemistry majors nationwide, students have numerous options to find programs matching their academic interests and career goals in this versatile scientific field.

Schools Ranked

$49,281

Avg. Program Earnings

68.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$57,318	92.5%	private-nonprofit
2	Texas State University San Marcos, Texas	$57,318	56.2%	public
3	Boston College Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts	$51,273	91.0%	private-nonprofit
4	Hamilton College Clinton, New York	$51,273	91.3%	private-nonprofit
5	University of Houston Houston, Texas	$51,106	64.9%	public
6	University of Delaware Newark, Delaware	$50,856	78.8%	public
7	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$50,856	71.0%	public
8	East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania	$50,856	43.8%	public
9	Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan	$49,683	57.8%	public
10	Worcester State University Worcester, Massachusetts	$49,644	55.5%	public
11	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$49,058	75.5%	public
12	Clarkson University Potsdam, New York	$49,058	73.6%	private-nonprofit
13	Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, Pennsylvania	$49,019	54.1%	public
14	West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, Pennsylvania	$48,432	69.8%	public
15	Rowan University Glassboro, New Jersey	$48,041	68.3%	public
16	University of North Alabama Florence, Alabama	$47,260	54.0%	public
17	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, Colorado	$47,260	47.4%	public
18	University of North Florida Jacksonville, Florida	$47,260	68.2%	public
19	Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$47,260	77.1%	private-nonprofit
20	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$47,260	89.3%	public
21	Lindenwood University Saint Charles, Missouri	$46,673	50.3%	private-nonprofit
22	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California	$46,620	85.3%	public
23	Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, Missouri	$46,478	63.6%	public
24	University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado	$46,087	51.3%	public
25	George Washington University Washington, District of Columbia	$46,087	85.2%	private-nonprofit