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2023 Most Focused Colleges for General Chemistry

1,376 Ranked Colleges
$28,700 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2021-2022, 19,817 people earned their degree in general chemistry, making the major the 43rd most popular in the United States.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major” ranking, we looked at 1,376 colleges that offer a degree in general chemistry. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their general chemistry program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank General Chemistry Schools

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major” list to help you make the college 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for chemistry students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for General Chemistry

1
Haverford crest
Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania

Out of the 1,376 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Haverford College landed the #1 spot on the list. Haverford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Haverford, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Haverford College General Chemistry Report

2
K College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kalamazoo College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. K College is a small school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan that handed out 32 ’s chemistry degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Chemistry at Kalamazoo College

3

Out of the 1,376 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #3 spot on the list. Caltech is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 48 ’s chemistry degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 99%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about General Chemistry at California Institute of Technology

4
Wesleyan crest
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Owensboro, Kentucky

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kentucky Wesleyan College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Owensboro, Kentucky. It awarded 11 ’s chemistry degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Wesleyan General Chemistry Report

5
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rhodes College. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major. Rhodes College is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 36 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Rhodes College General Chemistry Report

6
XULA crest
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana

With a ranking of #6, Xavier University of Louisiana did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. XULA is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Orleans, Louisiana. It awarded 32 ’s chemistry degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full XULA General Chemistry Report

7
Monmouth crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Monmouth College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. Monmouth, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 1 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on General Chemistry at Monmouth College

8
Tougaloo crest
Tougaloo College
Tougaloo, Mississippi

Tougaloo College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major ranking. Located in Tougaloo, Mississippi, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on General Chemistry at Tougaloo College

9
Bethany College West Virginia crest
Bethany College West Virginia
Bethany, West Virginia

With a ranking of #9, Bethany College West Virginia did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. Bethany College West Virginia is located in Bethany, West Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Bethany College West Virginia General Chemistry Report

10
Reed crest
Reed College
Portland, Oregon

Reed College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major ranking. Portland, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 9 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on General Chemistry at Reed College

11
Alma crest
Alma College
Alma, Michigan

Alma College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major ranking. Located in Alma, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Alma General Chemistry Report

12
Washington College crest
Washington College
Chestertown, Maryland

Washington College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major ranking. This small school is located in Chestertown, Maryland, and it awarded 5 ’s chemistry degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Chemistry at Washington College

13
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

Pomona College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major ranking. Pomona is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full Pomona College General Chemistry Report

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. University of Minnesota - Morris is a public institution located in Morris, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Chemistry at University of Minnesota - Morris

15
Dillard University crest
Dillard University
New Orleans, Louisiana

With a ranking of #15, Dillard University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. Dillard University is located in New Orleans, Louisiana and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Dillard University General Chemistry Report

16
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

With a ranking of #16, Carleton College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. Northfield, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 33 students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Carleton General Chemistry Report

17
Williams crest
Williams College
Williamstown, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #17, Williams College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. Williams College is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 39 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Williams General Chemistry Report

17
Presentation College crest
Presentation College
Aberdeen, South Dakota

Presentation College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major ranking. Presentation College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Chemistry at Presentation College

19
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey

With a ranking of #19, Princeton University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. Princeton is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Princeton, New Jersey. It awarded 103 ’s chemistry degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Chemistry at Princeton University

19
Westmont crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, California

Westmont College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major ranking. Westmont is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 16 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Chemistry at Westmont College

21
W&J crest
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington, Pennsylvania

Washington & Jefferson College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major ranking. Washington & Jefferson College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full W&J General Chemistry Report

22
Whitman crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, Washington

Whitman College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major ranking. Whitman is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Walla Walla, Washington. It awarded 4 ’s chemistry degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about General Chemistry at Whitman College

23
Randolph - Macon crest
Randolph - Macon College
Ashland, Virginia

Randolph - Macon College ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. Randolph - Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ashland, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Randolph - Macon College General Chemistry Report

24

University of Puerto Rico - Cayey did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major ranking, coming in at #24. UPR Cayey is located in Cayey, Puerto Rico and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 28 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Chemistry at University of Puerto Rico - Cayey

25
Erskine crest
Erskine College
Due West, South Carolina

Erskine College ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major list. Erskine College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Due West, South Carolina. It awarded 2 ’s chemistry degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Chemistry at Erskine

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN
27
28
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Hope College
Holland, MI
29
Wofford crest
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC
30
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV
31
Salem crest
Salem College
Winston-Salem, NC
31
Bryn Mawr crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
33
34
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Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY
35
Ursinus crest
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
36
Hanover crest
Hanover College
Hanover, IN
37
38
Carlow crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA
39
40
Hendrix crest
Hendrix College
Conway, AR
41
Carroll Montana crest
Carroll College
Helena, MT
42
Geneva crest
Geneva College
Beaver Falls, PA
43
Rust College crest
Rust College
Holly Springs, MS
44
Fisk crest
Fisk University
Nashville, TN
45
Davidson crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC
46
47
Lycoming crest
Lycoming College
Williamsport, PA
48
Lyon crest
Lyon College
Batesville, AR
49
Berea crest
Berea College
Berea, KY
50
Randolph crest
Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on Chemistry Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Bates CollegeLewiston, ME
52Johnson C Smith UniversityCharlotte, NC
53University of Rio GrandeRio Grande, OH
54Juniata CollegeHuntingdon, PA
55Franklin and Marshall CollegeLancaster, PA
56University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas City, MO
57Newberry CollegeNewberry, SC
58University of GuamMangilao, GU
59Transylvania UniversityLexington, KY
59Wheaton College MassachusettsNorton, MA
61University of Pittsburgh - GreensburgGreensburg, PA
61Bloomfield CollegeBloomfield, NJ
63University of Puerto Rico - MayaguezMayaguez, PR
64Wells CollegeAurora, NY
65Wayne State CollegeWayne, NE
RankCollegeLocation
66Centre CollegeDanville, KY
67Wellesley CollegeWellesley, MA
68United States Naval AcademyAnnapolis, MD
69University of Puerto Rico - Rio PiedrasSan Juan, PR
70Franklin CollegeFranklin, IN
70Furman UniversityGreenville, SC
72Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie, NY
73Texas Lutheran UniversitySeguin, TX
74Alcorn State UniversityAlcorn State, MS
75Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL
76Goucher CollegeBaltimore, MD
77Concordia College at MoorheadMoorhead, MN
77Lawrence UniversityAppleton, WI
79University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC
80College of Saint BenedictSaint Joseph, MN
81Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
82Colby CollegeWaterville, ME
83University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff, AR
84John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights, OH
85Hollins UniversityRoanoke, VA
86University of North Carolina at AshevilleAsheville, NC
87Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
88Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WA
89Whitworth UniversitySpokane, WA
90Drury UniversitySpringfield, MO
RankCollegeLocation
90Houghton CollegeHoughton, NY
90Hampden - Sydney CollegeHampden-Sydney, VA
93Greenville UniversityGreenville, IL
94Meredith CollegeRaleigh, NC
95Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA
96Christopher Newport UniversityNewport News, VA
97Cedar Crest CollegeAllentown, PA
98Spelman CollegeAtlanta, GA
99Lander UniversityGreenwood, SC
100Mount Holyoke CollegeSouth Hadley, MA
101Harvey Mudd CollegeClaremont, CA
102University of Minnesota - DuluthDuluth, MN
103Whittier CollegeWhittier, CA
104Grinnell CollegeGrinnell, IA
105Gustavus Adolphus CollegeSaint Peter, MN
106Wabash CollegeCrawfordsville, IN
107Fort Lewis CollegeDurango, CO
108University of California - MercedMerced, CA
109University of Saint KatherineSan Marcos, CA
110Morningside CollegeSioux City, IA
111Blackburn CollegeCarlinville, IL
112Amherst CollegeAmherst, MA
113Rice UniversityHouston, TX
114Centenary College of LouisianaShreveport, LA
115Emory and Henry CollegeEmory, VA
RankCollegeLocation
116Macalester CollegeSaint Paul, MN
117Martin Methodist CollegePulaski, TN
117Bethany College KansasLindsborg, KS
119Carthage CollegeKenosha, WI
120Ferrum CollegeFerrum, VA
121Willamette UniversitySalem, OR
122Northern State UniversityAberdeen, SD
123University of Pittsburgh - BradfordBradford, PA
124Morehouse CollegeAtlanta, GA
125William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA
126University of South Carolina - AikenAiken, SC
127Valparaiso UniversityValparaiso, IN
128University of Mary WashingtonFredericksburg, VA
129University of ChicagoChicago, IL
130University of Virginia - Main CampusCharlottesville, VA
131Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX
132Butler UniversityIndianapolis, IN
133Marietta CollegeMarietta, OH
134Southern Adventist UniversityCollegedale, TN
135Luther CollegeDecorah, IA
136University of PortlandPortland, OR
137Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL
138Westminster College PennsylvaniaNew Wilmington, PA
139Mansfield University of PennsylvaniaMansfield, PA
140Inter American University of Puerto Rico - San GermanSan German, PR
RankCollegeLocation
141Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA
142Oberlin CollegeOberlin, OH
143West Virginia State UniversityInstitute, WV
144Pacific Union CollegeAngwin, CA
145Truman State UniversityKirksville, MO
146Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA
147Occidental CollegeLos Angeles, CA
148William Jewell CollegeLiberty, MO
149Barnard CollegeNew York, NY
150Bethany Lutheran CollegeMankato, MN
151Virginia Wesleyan UniversityVirginia Beach, VA
152Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa, CA
153Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA
154Converse CollegeSpartanburg, SC
155Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT
156Oklahoma Wesleyan UniversityBartlesville, OK
157Cornell CollegeMount Vernon, IA
158Waynesburg UniversityWaynesburg, PA
158Mississippi Valley State UniversityItta Bena, MS
160University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash CollegeBlue Ash, OH
161Saint Martin’s UniversityLacey, WA
162Knox CollegeGalesburg, IL
163San Diego Miramar CollegeSan Diego, CA
164Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA
165Le Moyne CollegeSyracuse, NY
RankCollegeLocation
166East Georgia State CollegeSwainsboro, GA
167University of California - Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA
168Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR
169Western Colorado UniversityGunnison, CO
170Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT
171Scripps CollegeClaremont, CA
172Roanoke CollegeSalem, VA
173University of the SciencesPhiladelphia, PA
174Coe CollegeCedar Rapids, IA
175Millikin UniversityDecatur, IL
176Wheaton College IllinoisWheaton, IL
177Ripon CollegeRipon, WI
178Hamilton CollegeClinton, NY
179Central State UniversityWilberforce, OH
180Baldwin Wallace UniversityBerea, OH
181Saint Norbert CollegeDe Pere, WI
182Northwestern Oklahoma State UniversityAlva, OK
183University of California - Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA
184Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY
185Kentucky State UniversityFrankfort, KY
186Mount St Mary’s UniversityEmmitsburg, MD
187University of New OrleansNew Orleans, LA
188Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville, PA
189Walsh UniversityNorth Canton, OH
190Virginia Military InstituteLexington, VA
RankCollegeLocation
191Saint Mary’s CollegeNotre Dame, IN
191New Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologySocorro, NM
193University of California - San DiegoLa Jolla, CA
194Muskingum UniversityNew Concord, OH
194Dickinson CollegeCarlisle, PA
196Mars Hill UniversityMars Hill, NC
197Thiel CollegeGreenville, PA
198Irvine Valley CollegeIrvine, CA
199Fort Valley State UniversityFort Valley, GA
200Allegheny CollegeMeadville, PA
201Dominican University of CaliforniaSan Rafael, CA
202Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven, CT
203University of OregonEugene, OR
204Lewis UniversityRomeoville, IL
205Missouri Western State UniversitySaint Joseph, MO
206California State University - Channel IslandsCamarillo, CA
207Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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