by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, polymer chemistry was the 970th most popular major nationwide with 101 degrees awarded. This represents a 19.8% increase in polymer chemistry degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 81.
Our 2023 Best Polymer Chemistry Schools ranking analyzes 4 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for polymer chemistry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of polymer chemistry programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in polymer chemistry is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience and 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 are all required skills for careers related to this major.
polymer 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. In addition to these basic polymer chemistry program qualifications, to serve in some polymer chemistry careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different polymer chemistry degree levels. You can get anything from a in polymer chemistry to the highest polymer chemistry degree, a . The time it takes to complete a polymer chemistry degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 polymer chemistry, with approximately 46.4% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for polymer chemistry workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 46.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 12.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 11.6% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.6% |
About 92.6% of workers in careers related to polymer chemistry obtain at least bachelor's degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in polymer chemistry careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the polymer chemistry career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your polymer chemistry degree? Polymer Chemistry careers are expected to grow 8.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to polymer chemistry.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Chemists | 94,000 | 6.5% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Chemistry Professors | 28,900 | 9.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for polymer chemistry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for polymer chemistry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers polymer chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Chemistry Professors | $92,360 |
| Chemists | $83,850 |
With over 18 different polymer 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 polymer chemistry school rankings to help you with this.
One of 11 majors within the Chemistry area of study, Polymer Chemistry has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry | 20,056 |
| Other Chemistry | 710 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 247 |
| Chemical Physics | 45 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 34 |
