by our College Data Analytics TeamTheoretical Chemistry was the 1,349 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 7 degrees in this year alone. This 2 less than the prior year, a decrease of 28.6%.
Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of theoretical chemistry programs later in this article.
Theoretical Chemistry majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional theoretical chemistry certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of theoretical chemistry degrees. Theoretical Chemistry programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest theoretical chemistry degree you can get. Different theoretical chemistry degrees vary in how long they take.
| 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 theoretical chemistry, with approximately 43.4% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for theoretical chemistry workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 43.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 16.4% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 13.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.9% |
98.4% of theoretical chemistry workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in theoretical chemistry have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the theoretical chemistry career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your theoretical chemistry degree? Theoretical 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 theoretical 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 theoretical chemistry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for theoretical chemistry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers theoretical chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Chemistry Professors | $92,360 |
| Chemists | $83,850 |
With over 4 different theoretical 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 theoretical chemistry school rankings to help you with this.
Theoretical Chemistry is one of 11 different types of Chemistry programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry | 20,056 |
| Other Chemistry | 710 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 247 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 101 |
| Chemical Physics | 45 |