by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, chemical and biomolecular engineering was the 782nd most popular major nationwide with 227 degrees awarded. This represents a 29.1% reduction in chemical engineering degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 293.
Our 2023 Best Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Schools ranking analyzes 10 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for chemical and biomolecular engineering students. Explore this or one of our many other custom chemical engineering rankings further below.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to chemical engineering. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and talking to others to convey information effectively are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional chemical engineering certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of chemical engineering degrees. Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest chemical engineering degree you can get. Depending on the chemical and biomolecular engineering degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to chemical engineering, with approximately 43.9% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for chemical engineering workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 47.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 23.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 14.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.3% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 3.2% |
Most workers in chemical engineering have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in chemical and biomolecular engineering have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which chemical engineering career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your chemical engineering degree? Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering careers are expected to grow 7.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chemical and biomolecular engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Engineers | 141,000 | 6.4% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
| Chemical Engineers | 35,100 | 7.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for chemical engineering graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for chemical and biomolecular engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers chemical engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Chemical Engineers | $114,470 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Engineers | $99,410 |
With over 37 different chemical engineering degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased chemical engineering school rankings to help you with this.
One of 2 majors within the Chemical Engineering area of study, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | 12,690 |
