2026 Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
Chemical Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for chemical engineering students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Chemical Engineering in the Southeast Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the chemical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Chemical Engineering
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in chemical engineering. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 243 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $98,008 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,244.
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University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 158 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent 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.
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Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 191 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $85,847 in their early career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 63 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $85,772 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,733 to complete this degree.
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Auburn University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 97 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $82,217 in their early career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $23,104 in student loans.
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Vanderbilt University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $75,639. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
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Clemson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Clemson University awarded about 75 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $75,951. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #8 spot for chemical engineering this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 89 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $82,382 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,350 to complete this degree.
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Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #9 position for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 79 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $74,786 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Mississippi State University landed the #10 spot for chemical engineering this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Mississippi State University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 52 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Mississippi State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $78,183 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,298 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Alabama earned the #11 position for chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. About 140 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $69,809. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $23,003 in student loans.
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The University Of Tennessee ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 93 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $76,302 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans.
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University Of Louisville ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. University Of Louisville graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $70,675 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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Florida State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Florida State University earn around $70,797 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #15 for chemical engineering this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. About 79% of students finish within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 57 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $75,680. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Arkansas came in at #16 for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $75,102 early in their careers. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
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Tennessee Technological University landed the #17 spot for chemical engineering this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Tennessee Technological University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 49 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $60,300. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans.
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Louisiana Tech University landed the #18 spot for chemical engineering this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. Louisiana Tech University awarded about 18 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $79,157. Typical student debt for the program is $18,342.
More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Louisiana Tech University
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #19 spot for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #20 among the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 62 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $70,659. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree.
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West Virginia University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. West Virginia University awarded about 24 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from West Virginia University earn around $69,875 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,843.
More information about a degree in chemical engineering from West Virginia University
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #22 for chemical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. About 63% of students finish within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 35 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $79,721 in their early career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of Kentucky ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 63 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $65,389. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete this degree.
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University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #24 among the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $76,685 in their early career. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
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University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #25 for chemical engineering this year. This large public university is located in the city of Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. University Of Louisiana Lafayette awarded about 48 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $63,886 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Rest of the Top 31 Chemical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong chemical engineering education:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.