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2025 Best Chemical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools

155 Colleges in the United States
8,935 Bachelor's Degrees
$72,351 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #51 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 155 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for chemical engineering students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 8,935 bachelor's degrees in chemical engineering to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Chemical Engineering School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Chemical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools Your choice of chemical engineering for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. Important measures of a quality chem eng program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for chemical engineering students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Chemical Engineering Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Chemical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Chemical Engineering in the United States

Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for chemical engineering students seeking a a bachelor's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Chem Eng

1

Any student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering has to take a look at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge.

Chemical Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute of Technology receive an earnings boost of about $7,788 above the average earnings of chemical engineering graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a great decision for students interested in a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a very large student population.

Those chemical engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor make $7,200 more than the average chem eng student.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
170 Annual Graduates
$85,847 Median Starting Salary
$57,263 Median Student Debt

It is hard to beat Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. Georgia Tech is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Atlanta.

Those chemical engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus receive $13,496 more than the typical chem eng student.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

4
234 Annual Graduates
$86,176 Median Starting Salary
$25,437 Median Student Debt

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering has to check out Texas A&M University - College Station. Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station.

Those chemical engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University - College Station receive $13,825 more than the average chem eng graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University - College Station

5
155 Annual Graduates
$87,365 Median Starting Salary
$29,392 Median Student Debt

UT Austin is a very large public university located in the large city of Austin.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemical engineering major at The University of Texas at Austin earn $15,014 above the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin

6
122 Annual Graduates
$77,440 Median Starting Salary
$27,972 Median Student Debt

UIUC is a very large public university located in the city of Champaign.

Chemical Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn a boost of approximately $5,089 above the average earnings of chemical engineering graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

7

Located in the city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Chemical Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley get an earnings boost of around $9,202 over the typical income of chemical engineering majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from University of California - Berkeley

8
124 Annual Graduates
$81,880 Median Starting Salary
$22,694 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Boston, Northeastern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Chemical Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from Northeastern University receive an earnings boost of approximately $9,529 over the typical income of chemical engineering graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Northeastern University

9
70 Annual Graduates
$83,377 Median Starting Salary
$46,393 Median Student Debt

Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame.

Chemical Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from University of Notre Dame get an earnings boost of around $11,026 over the typical income of chemical engineering graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from University of Notre Dame

10

Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemical engineering major at Cornell University make $13,227 above the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Cornell University

11

UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the large city of Madison.

Chemical Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Madison receive an earnings boost of approximately $13,594 above the average earnings of chemical engineering majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from University of Wisconsin - Madison

12
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Bethlehem.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemical engineering major at Lehigh University make $10,084 above the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Lehigh University

13
147 Annual Graduates
$81,105 Median Starting Salary
$30,195 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those chemical engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from Purdue University - Main Campus make $8,754 more than the average chem eng graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Purdue University - Main Campus

14
41 Annual Graduates

Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Pittsburgh.More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University

15

Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Chemical Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from Northwestern University earn a boost of around $8,358 above the average earnings of chemical engineering majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Northwestern University

16
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
10 Annual Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Stanford University

17
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemical engineering degree program at University of Pennsylvania earn $9,370 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from University of Pennsylvania

18
155 Annual Graduates
$77,455 Median Starting Salary
$33,140 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those chemical engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from Ohio State University - Main Campus make $5,104 more than the standard chem eng grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Ohio State University - Main Campus

19
81 Annual Graduates
$51,267 Median Starting Salary
$48,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Soon after graduating, chem eng bachelor's recipients usually earn around $51,267 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Johns Hopkins University

20

Located in the large city of Raleigh, NC State is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemical engineering degree program at North Carolina State University make $9,141 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University

21
149 Annual Graduates
$68,318 Median Starting Salary
$57,538 Median Student Debt

Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Golden.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the chem eng program make around $68,318 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Colorado School of Mines

22
61 Annual Graduates
$78,263 Median Starting Salary
$69,687 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Troy, RPI is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

Those chemical engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute make $5,912 more than the typical chem eng student.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

23

UC Davis is a very large public university located in the small suburb of Davis.

Soon after graduating, chem eng bachelor's recipients usually earn about $68,337 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from University of California - Davis

24
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

UF is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville.

Chemical Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from University of Florida earn a boost of around $14,813 above the typical income of chemical engineering graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from University of Florida

25

Located in the city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the chem eng program state that they receive average early career earnings of $59,508.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from University of California - San Diego

Rest of the Top Best Chemical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools

26
27
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
28
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
29
30
31

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Chemical Engineering students that almost earned our Best Chemical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
32 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
33 Iowa State University Ames, IA
34 Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI
35 Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA
36 Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ
37 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
38 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
39 University of Delaware Newark, DE
40 Auburn University Auburn, AL
41 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
42 Villanova University Villanova, PA
43 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
44 Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO
45 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
46 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH
47 University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA
48 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
49 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
50 Tufts University Medford, MA
51 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD

Chemical Engineering by Region

View the Best Chemical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Chemical Engineering is one of 41 different types of Engineering programs to choose from.

Chem Eng Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Chemical Engineering 8,785
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 150

Related Major Annual Graduates
Mechanical Engineering 33,840
Electrical Engineering 15,613
Civil Engineering 14,335
Computer Engineering 12,141
Biomedical Engineering 8,820
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering 6,195
Industrial Engineering 5,205
General Engineering 2,697
Environmental Engineering 1,910
Materials Engineering 1,305

Notes and References

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