The chemical industry has grown tremendously over the years to facilitate our need for new materials, energies, and engineering solutions. With 3.8 trillion dollars in global revenue since 2005 according to Statista, the demand for education in this lucrative field has grown. If you’re on a school search, you’ll want to know about the best schools for chemical engineering.
This article will cover some of the best chemical engineering schools for programs at all academic levels, including the best chemical engineering colleges for online programs. It also lists job prospects, program prerequisites, and everything else you need to know before you apply to the best chemical engineering universities to advance your studies.
Best Chemical Engineering College and University Rankings: Top 10 Chemical Engineering Schools at a Glance
| School | State | Formats Available | US News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University | NY | In-person, Online, Hybrid | #2 |
| Cornell University | NY | In-person | #17 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MA | In-person | #2 |
| Purdue University | IN | In-person | #49 |
| Rice University | TX | In-person | #17 |
| Stanford University | CA | In-person, Online | #6 |
| University of Delaware | DE | In-person | #93 |
| University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | MI | In-person | #23 |
| University of Southern California | CA | In-person, Online | #27 |
| University of Washington | WA | In-person | #59 |
Chemical Engineering School Rankings: Best Chemical Engineering Colleges and Universities
Chemical engineering is a popular engineering discipline offered at many institutions, with enough variance between individual universities that it’s almost guaranteed that there’s a fit for everyone.
This section will go over 10 of the best schools offering degrees in chemical engineering, featuring private research institutions and public universities. It will also provide details on a wide range of factors such as location, tuition, and student populations.
Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs
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The Best Schools for Chemical Engineering: Types of College Degrees and University Programs Offered
Due to the vast and complex nature of chemical engineering, there are several qualifications available at different levels. Whether you are looking for a foundational certificate or a doctorate, top chemical engineering schools will have a program for you.
Comparing Popular Degree Options
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Best Chemical Engineering Schools: Other Chemical Engineering University Rankings
So far this article has covered rankings for traditional chemical engineering programs. There are also alternative institutions and learning methods that might be better suited for your individual needs. We cover details on online chemical engineering degrees, community college chemical engineering options, and graduate programs below.
Best Online Chemical Engineering Schools
- Columbia University. Columbia is a prestigious school that offers its world-class chemical engineering degree via online classes. This means that it’s possible to get an Ivy League education while studying remotely.
- University of North Dakota. The University of North Dakota offers an online bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with the goal of making it as non-intrusive as possible. With the framework offered, students can take up to six years to complete the program and can have certain courses waived if they can demonstrate appropriate ability or knowledge in that area.
- Clarkson University. Clarkson University offers an online doctorate program that is a good choice for those already working in the industry. It allows chemical engineering students to complete their academic qualifications without taking a leave of absence from work.
Best Community Colleges for Chemical Engineering
- Tacoma Community College. This community college offers students an Associate of Science in Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering degree. Through this program, students can transfer into the third year of a chemical engineering bachelor’s program.
- Mesa Community College. Mesa Community College offers several transfer programs that start with two years at Mesa and transition to a traditional college for the final years of study, including one in chemical engineering that transitions to Arizona State University.
- South Seattle College. This community college features an associate degree program that has a science track with a focus on chemical engineering. This program allows for an easy transition into the junior level of any bachelor’s degree program in the field.
Best Undergraduate Schools for Chemical Engineering
- University of Pennsylvania. The University of Pennsylvania is a private institution and a great first step into the industry. The school has a record number of graduates with above-median pay in chemical engineering jobs.
- The University of Texas at Austin. The University of Texas at Austin is a public university with a large community of students. It has a stellar undergraduate chemical engineering program that is geared towards industrial excellence.
- Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt University is a great place to start for anyone with a passion for research and plans for higher education beyond the undergraduate level. It has a focus on research and its mandate is to fulfill students’ potential.
Best Graduate Schools for Chemical Engineering
- Princeton University. This Ivy League school offers both Master of Science and Master of Engineering programs in chemical and biological engineering. This allows for either a research-focused approach for future academics or a coursework-focused approach for industry practice.
- California Institute of Technology. Known for its focus on science and technology, CalTech hosts one of the most innovative and research-driven chemical engineering graduate programs in the world. It is a great choice for those with a passion for academic research.
- Northeastern University. Northeastern University’s College of Engineering offers thesis and non-thesis options for graduate programs in chemical engineering, both with a focus on solution-driven industry applications. This makes Northeastern University a great choice for those looking to step up their knowledge for use in the workforce.
Best Chemical Engineering Schools With Dual Degree Programs
- Rice University | Master of Chemical Engineering Degree / Master of Business Administration Degree. This dual degree program offers an option for students more interested in the management of industry resources than research or field work. It boosts your resume with a double qualification, making you competitive in the job market.
- University of Michigan | Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Dual Degree Program. This program combines two closely-related courses to produce a dual qualification. Students will work with research on materials development and the optimization and manipulation of existing materials.
- University of California, Berkeley | Chemical Engineering/Nuclear Engineering Joint Major. This dual degree investigates safe and reliable energy optimization to power the industry’s future. Students will cover topics like waste management, fuel processing, and reactor design innovations.
Best Schools With Accelerated Chemical Engineering Programs
- Arizona State University | 4+1 Accelerated Program in Chemical Engineering (BSE-MS). This program gives students who have a 3.0 GPA and a desire to advance quickly in academia the chance to start working on a graduate degree early. Students can start taking master’s level classes after completing 65 credit hours of undergraduate work. This allows both degrees to be earned in five years.
- Cleveland State University | Accelerated Master of Chemical Engineering Program. This program at Cleveland State is nearly identical to the Arizona State program in terms of requirements and outcomes, and students have to apply for the program before they begin the last 30 credits of their undergraduate degree.
- University of Arizona | Chemical Engineering – Accelerated Master’s Program. This program allows students to obtain both an undergraduate and a graduate degree within five years. It has a heightened focus on interdisciplinary cooperation with the environmental engineering program.
Easy Colleges to Get Into
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Is Graduate School for Chemical Engineering Worth It?
Yes, graduate school for chemical engineering is worth it for both academic advancement and professional development. Many schools offer a focus on one or the other and you can specialize based on your goals. According to PayScale, there is a $22,000 difference in salary between professionals with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering and those with a PhD in Chemical Engineering.
What Jobs Can You Do With a Chemical Engineering Degree?
The jobs you can do with a chemical engineering degree span a wide range of applications. Chemical engineering has proven to be both versatile and in constant demand. This field offers opportunities ranging from manufacturing and trade to high-level pharmaceutical work. It is also possible to work in other branches of engineering like nuclear power.
How Much Can I Earn With a Degree in Chemical Engineering?
You can earn between $126,000 and $69,000 with a degree in chemical engineering, according to PayScale. This is higher than the average income of all engineering fields, and usually includes benefits and other job incentives. Your salary as a chemical engineer will depend on your experience and level of qualification.
It is important to note that most high-level jobs in chemical engineering are awarded based on experience rather than academic qualification. As such, most jobs only require a bachelor’s degree and a specific amount of experience and accomplishment in the industry. Salaries will vary based on experience, location, and company, and fluctuate even among the top companies hiring chemical engineers.
Highest-Paying Chemical Engineering Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Director of Engineering | Bachelor’s Degree | $147,211 |
| Senior Principal Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree | $144,137 |
| Principal Process Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree | $125,740 |
| Process Engineering Manager | Bachelor’s Degree | $117,354 |
| Senior Process Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree | $104,005 |
| Senior Manufacturing Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree | $94,907 |
| Research and Development Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree | $77,468 |
| Process Engineering | Bachelor’s Degree | $75,745 |
| Manufacturing Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree | $72,149 |
| Service Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree | $69,637 |
Best Jobs With a Chemical Engineering Degree
The best jobs for a chemical engineering degree are generally subject to your level of qualification and experience. As such, your prospects are dependent on what degrees you hold, as well as how long you’ve been in practice. Examples of positions in this field include process engineering, service engineering, and manufacturing engineering.
How Can I Pay for Chemical Engineering School?
You can pay for chemical engineering school in several ways, including direct financing. Paying out of pocket may not be practical for everyone, so there are alternatives. Available options are based on the education level and other factors, there’s always a way.
- Student loans. The most common form of financing for higher education is student loans. These are awarded to undergraduate and some graduate students. Loans need to be paid back but can be the best option for getting a bachelor’s in a high-paying discipline like chemical engineering.
- Work-study programs/teaching assistantships. These are generally only open to graduate students with qualifications in the field. Work-study programs allow graduate students to assist members of faculty within the institution while earning compensation and academic work experience in the process.
- Employer financing. For those already employed, your employer may finance an advanced degree. This will usually become available after a period of stellar service and with some form of guaranteed loyalty. This can be a mutually beneficial arrangement for employers that want to appoint management from internal talent.
- Scholarships. Applying for a scholarship is a blanket opportunity available to almost everyone at every level of study. While scholarships are generally competitive, there are several scholarship programs with diverse criteria available at the institutional and federal levels.
How to Pay for Your Chosen School Education Path
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Choosing the Best Chemical Engineering School for You
To choose the best chemical engineering school for you, you should consider what you want from your degree. Things like cost, teaching format, and curriculum should inform your choice of school. Chemical engineering is a very broad discipline with several applications and academic opportunities. As such, your choice should depend on your capabilities and preferences.
Cost
A great school is only a viable option if you can afford to attend it. Looking at the financing options available to you and comparing them to the economic implications of enrollment is a key step in ensuring that you make the right choice. This is especially important in a field that values experience over a prestigious alma mater.
Continuing Education
If you are striving for academic development or want to land leadership positions in the industry, you’ll need to pick a school that caters to these goals. This means that you’ll want to choose a program with a thesis option and research opportunities, even at the undergraduate level.
Specialization or Concentration Options
Concentration is important in a field as wide and versatile as chemical engineering. A good choice of school will have concentrations and electives that align with your interests. This will open doors for future preferential admission in areas of industry or academia aligned with that interest.
How to Get Into the Right School for Your Profession
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Does It Matter What College I Go to for Chemical Engineering?
No, it does not matter what college you go to for chemical engineering. In the chemical engineering field, experience and qualifications are more important than the prestige of your alma mater. This is the case because it is a largely practical, industry-driven field. However, it is important to check that your university is accredited to ensure that you are receiving a quality education that will be respected by employers.
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees
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Chemical Engineering University Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Schools for Chemical Engineering
We ranked the best chemical engineering schools by consulting the university rankings conducted by US News & World Report and Times Higher Education. To further refine our chemical engineering university ranking methodology, we gave special consideration to factors like reputation, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and range of chemical engineering degree program offerings.
Additional Reading About Chemical Engineering
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Best Chemical Engineering Schools FAQ
Yes, getting a chemical engineering education is a great choice for international students. It is a popular major in part because of its universal applicability in any industrialized nation. Furthermore, most institutions offer additional courses that help to align your studies with region-specific needs.
Yes, it is possible to get a PhD in Chemical Engineering without a master’s degree. While a master’s degree is the standard prerequisite for a doctorate program, some schools have flexible admission criteria. These usually involve evaluating your research prowess in some other way. Getting an undergraduate degree with undergraduate research options can increase your chances of being admitted to a PhD program without a master’s degree.
Yes, physics is important in getting a chemical engineering degree. Like all engineering and applied science courses, chemical engineering requires knowledge of physics and an aptitude for mathematics and chemistry. This is true up to the graduate level, however, anything required beyond high school knowledge will be taught as part of the program.
Yes, you can work while earning a degree in chemical engineering. However, this may be difficult. While many programs allow you to work while you learn, especially at the graduate level, chemical engineering students tend to have a very heavy course load at the undergraduate level. As such, it won’t be in your best interest to work while pursuing your undergraduate degree unless you can request a lightened course load.
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