by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a chemical engineering degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying chemical engineering schools.
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Below are the schools whose chemical engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
San Jose State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemical engineering schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from San Jose State University typically earn about $115,218 annually.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the highest-paying schools for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from University Of California Berkeley make a median of around $125,441 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California Santa Barbara earned it the #3 place for chemical engineering. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara typically earn about $104,039 annually.
University Of California Los Angeles produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles typically earn about $105,166 annually.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Davis one of the highest-paying schools for chemical engineering. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis typically earn about $109,456 annually.
University Of Southern California earned the #6 position for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $106,401 per year.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #7 position for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school located in the suburb of Pomona. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona typically earn about $103,640 annually.
Oregon State University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from Oregon State University make a median of around $95,971 per year.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus typically earn about $96,353 annually.
University Of California Riverside earned the #10 position for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of California Riverside is a public school located in the city of Riverside. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of about $90,784 a year early in their careers.
Washington State University landed the #11 spot for chemical engineering salaries this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from Washington State University make a median of around $88,132 per year.
University Of California Irvine earned the #12 position for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of about $102,280 a year early in their careers.
University Of California San Diego earned the #13 position for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Students who complete the chemical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $97,911.
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #14 position for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a public school located in the city of Reno. Students who complete the chemical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $86,398.
California State University Long Beach came in at #15 for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. California State University Long Beach is a public school located in the city of Long Beach. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from California State University Long Beach make a median of around $91,493 per year.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their chemical engineering graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 15 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
