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2027 Best Chemical Engineering Schools

156 Colleges in the United States
10,310 Chemical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$73,309 Avg Early-Career Salary

Chemical Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 156 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best chemical engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

Choosing a Great Chemical Engineering School

Best Chemical Engineering Schools

Where you study chemical engineering matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Chemical Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Chemical Engineering Rankings by Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in Chemical Engineering
Master's Degrees in Chemical Engineering

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Chemical Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

Best Schools for Chemical Engineering in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall chemical engineering education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Chemical Engineering

1

Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for chemical engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 185 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $87,365 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844. See the full chemical engineering program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best chemical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 233 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $86,176 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,135 to complete this degree. See the full chemical engineering program report for Texas A And M University College Station

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 146 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $81,553 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $18,155 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of California Berkeley

4

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 113 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $85,945. Typical student debt for the program is $21,947. Read more about the chemical engineering program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. About 251 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $81,105 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full chemical engineering program report for Purdue University Main Campus

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for chemical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 149 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $77,440 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,850 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

7

Northwestern University landed the #7 spot for chemical engineering this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 60 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Northwestern University earn around $80,709 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Read more about the chemical engineering program at Northwestern University

8
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 64 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $81,721. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of Pennsylvania

9

University Of Notre Dame placed #9 among the best chemical engineering schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. About 92 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $83,377 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of Notre Dame

10

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for chemical engineering this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 88 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $109,265 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,209 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemical engineering program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

11
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #11 spot for chemical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 55 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. See the full chemical engineering program report for Stanford University

12

Cornell University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 123 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Cornell University earn around $85,578 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,361 to complete this degree. See the full chemical engineering program report for Cornell University

13

University Of Chicago landed the #13 spot for chemical engineering this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 136 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of Chicago

14

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #14 spot for chemical engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 234 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $98,008 in their early career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $22,244 in student loans. See the full chemical engineering program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

15

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #15 spot for chemical engineering this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 111 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $76,680 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,205 to complete this degree. See the full chemical engineering program report for University Of California Los Angeles

16

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #16 for chemical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 139 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $86,209 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

17
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #17 for chemical engineering this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rice University awarded about 37 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $87,830 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,178. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Rice University

18

California Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. About 30 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. Read more about the chemical engineering program at California Institute Of Technology

19
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #19 spot for chemical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 116 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from University Of Florida earn around $87,164 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,050. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of Florida

20

Johns Hopkins University earned the #20 position for chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 127 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $51,267 in their early career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. See the full chemical engineering program report for Johns Hopkins University

21

University Of Southern California ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 53 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $68,234 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of Southern California

22

Carnegie Mellon University placed #22 among the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 98 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Read more about the chemical engineering program at Carnegie Mellon University

23
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #23 position for chemical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 35 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $75,367 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074. See the full chemical engineering program report for Tufts University

24

University Of California Davis landed the #24 spot for chemical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 74 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $68,337 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of California Davis

25
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #25 position for chemical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 56 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. See the full chemical engineering program report for Yale University

Rest of the Top 50 Chemical Engineering Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong chemical engineering education:

26
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
27
28
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
29
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
46
47
48
49
50
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for chemical engineering:

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Chemical Engineering by Region

View the Best Chemical Engineering Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes
Outlying Areas

View All Rankings >

Chemical Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

Major Annual Graduates
Chemical Engineering 9,957
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 319
Chemical Engineering, Other 34

View All Chemical Engineering Concentrations >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 156 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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