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2025 Best General Chemistry Schools

237 Colleges in the United States
19,817 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
General Chemistry is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #43 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 237 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best General Chemistry Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 19,817 degrees in general chemistry to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great General Chemistry School

Best General Chemistry Schools Your choice of general chemistry school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall General Chemistry School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

General Chemistry Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Chemistry
Bachelor's Degrees in Chemistry
Master's Degrees in Chemistry
Doctor's Degrees in Chemistry

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Chemistry Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for General Chemistry in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of chemistry degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. 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 in Chemistry

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MA
71 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in general chemistry needs to take a look at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Located in the city of Cambridge, MIT is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means MIT is a great school overall.

There were about 71 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at MIT in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In CA
136 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

University of California - Santa Barbara is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in general chemistry. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 136 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of California - Santa Barbara

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WI
166 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

University of Wisconsin - Madison is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in general chemistry. Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were about 166 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of Wisconsin - Madison

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
111 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in general chemistry. U-M is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were about 111 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
204 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were approximately 204 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of California - Berkeley

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MN
145 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were approximately 145 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
163 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the city of Irvine. This university ranks 12th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 163 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of California - Irvine

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MD
70 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were roughly 70 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from Johns Hopkins University

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IL
170 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 170 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CA
184 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

UCSD is a very large public university located in the large city of La Jolla. This university ranks 8th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 184 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of California - San Diego

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In CA
84 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 84 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of California - Davis

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CT
62 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the town of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 18 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were approximately 62 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of Connecticut

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In CA
142 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 142 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of California - Los Angeles

14
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In MA
39 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Boston College is a fairly large private not-for-profit college located in the small city of Chestnut Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Boston College is a great college overall.

There were about 39 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from Boston College

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In NY
64 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 64 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from Columbia University in the City of New York

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In TX
148 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were roughly 148 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin

17
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In NC
65 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were approximately 65 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from Duke University

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NC
185 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill. This university ranks 2nd out of 93 schools for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 185 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
15th Most Popular In NY

RPI is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. This school ranks 6th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 17 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at RPI in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NY
106 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Cornell is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were about 106 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from Cornell University

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In VA
136 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #35 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 136 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of Virginia - Main Campus

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MA
35 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Northeastern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Northeastern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 35 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from Northeastern University

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In NY
57 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 57 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of Rochester

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In OH
124 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Ohio State is a very large public university located in the city of Columbus. This university ranks 1st out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 124 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from Ohio State University - Main Campus

25
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In IN
47 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were roughly 47 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general chemistry from University of Notre Dame

Rest of the Top Best General Chemistry Schools

26
27
28
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
29
30
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
31
32

33

34
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
35
36
37
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
38
39
40
41
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA

42
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

43
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
44
45
SUNY Stony Brook crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
46
47

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for General Chemistry students that almost earned our Best General Chemistry Schools award.

Rank College Location
48 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
49 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
50 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
51 Clemson University Clemson, SC
52 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
53 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
54 Brandeis University Waltham, MA
55 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
56 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
57 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
58 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
59 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO
60 Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA
61 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
62 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
63 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
64 Auburn University Auburn, AL
65 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
66 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
67 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
68 New York University New York, NY
69 Emory University Atlanta, GA
70 College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA
71 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
72 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
73 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
74 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY
75 George Washington University Washington, DC
76 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
77 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
78 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
79 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA

General Chemistry by Region

View the Best General Chemistry 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

View All Rankings >

General Chemistry is one of 11 different types of Chemistry programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Other Chemistry 659
Forensic Chemistry 318
Polymer Chemistry 58
Chemical Physics 46
Analytical Chemistry 28
Environmental Chemistry 20
Theoretical Chemistry 15
Organic Chemistry 12
Inorganic Chemistry 7
Physical Chemistry 4

View All Chemistry Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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