by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, general chemistry was the 43rd most popular major nationwide with 20,056 degrees awarded. This represents a 3.9% reduction in chemistry degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 20,841.
This year's Best General Chemistry Schools ranking compares 239 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom chemistry rankings further below.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is a required skill for chemistry majors. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and talking to others to convey information effectively.
general chemistry degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional chemistry certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of chemistry degrees. General Chemistry programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest chemistry degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common chemistry degree levels is shown below.
| 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 chemistry, with approximately 47.7% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for chemistry workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 48.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.2% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.3% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 8.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 6.2% |
94.1% of chemistry workers have at least a bachelor's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in general chemistry careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the chemistry career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your chemistry degree? General Chemistry careers are expected to grow 7.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general chemistry.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| High School Teachers | 1,095,500 | 7.5% |
| Chemists | 94,000 | 6.5% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Chemistry Professors | 28,900 | 9.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for chemistry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for general chemistry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Chemistry Professors | $92,360 |
| Chemists | $83,850 |
| High School Teachers | $64,340 |
With over 2,229 different chemistry 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 chemistry school rankings to help you with this.
General Chemistry is one of 11 different types of Chemistry programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Chemistry | 710 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 247 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 101 |
| Chemical Physics | 45 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 34 |
