Best Colleges for Chemical Engineering 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings, real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Top 20 Chemical Engineering Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice University Houston, TX | $108,850 | $58,128 | 8% | 4,562 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | $108,067 | $45,627 | 12% | 33,073 |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | $107,816 | $66,104 | 6% | 10,768 |
| 4 | Lamar University Beaumont, TX | $107,127 | $18,482 | 86% | 7,945 |
| 5 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY | $105,514 | $69,045 | 4% | 8,899 |
| 6 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY | $105,514 | $66,014 | 8% | 15,935 |
| 7 | Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX | $105,292 | $40,328 | 63% | 59,099 |
| 8 | University of Tulsa Tulsa, OK | $101,924 | $48,602 | 58% | 2,447 |
| 9 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA | $101,352 | $64,772 | 32% | 3,818 |
| 10 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL | $100,444 | $65,997 | 7% | 8,960 |
| 11 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA | $99,799 | $60,156 | 5% | 4,571 |
| 12 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA | $99,522 | $28,631 | 74% | 29,207 |
| 13 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT | $99,093 | $6,496 | 69% | 32,221 |
| 14 | Tufts University Medford, MA | $97,631 | $67,844 | 10% | 6,804 |
| 15 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS | $97,457 | $27,816 | 79% | 14,835 |
| 16 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN | $96,794 | $62,693 | 12% | 8,923 |
| 17 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, OK | $96,261 | $25,754 | 71% | 20,814 |
| 18 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | $96,178 | $63,946 | 6% | 7,143 |
| 19 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | $95,916 | $42,778 | 29% | 42,100 |
| 20 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC | $94,710 | $31,767 | 40% | 26,389 |
Chemical Engineering is a field of study that develops specialized knowledge and skills applicable across a range of professional settings. Undergraduate programs typically combine foundational coursework with applied projects, laboratory work, or research experiences designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers or advanced study.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers across multiple industries. Career paths and earning potential vary depending on the specific concentration, graduate degree attainment, and employer. The rankings below are based on actual graduate earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks median earnings for graduates of each school-major combination.
When evaluating Chemical Engineering programs, consider accreditation status, research and internship opportunities, faculty expertise, and the school's alumni network in your target career field. The earnings data on this page provides an objective, evidence-based signal to help you compare programs by real-world financial outcomes.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
Explore All Chemical Engineering Programs
See earnings data for all 158 schools offering Chemical Engineering, including debt figures and graduate counts.
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Compare SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Chemical Engineering program?
Look for programs with relevant accreditation, strong research or internship opportunities, experienced faculty with industry connections, and alumni networks in the careers you want to pursue. Hands-on learning experiences and career placement rates are also important indicators of program quality.
What careers can I pursue with a Chemical Engineering degree?
A Chemical Engineering degree prepares graduates for a range of careers depending on the specific concentration and any graduate study pursued. Review the program's placement data and alumni outcomes to understand where graduates from a specific school tend to land after graduation.
How much do Chemical Engineering graduates earn?
Earnings for Chemical Engineering graduates vary by school, specialization, and career path. The rankings on this page reflect verified median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, giving you a school-level view of real financial outcomes for this major.