by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their chemical engineering graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find where chemical engineering graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send chemical engineering graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the top school for chemical engineering graduate earnings in Michigan. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor make a median of around $100,000 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Michigan Technological University one of the highest-paying schools for chemical engineering. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from Michigan Technological University make a median of around $95,207 per year.
Michigan State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $95,843 annually.
Wayne State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from Wayne State University make a median of around $100,634 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in chemical engineering will find them at Western Michigan University, which ranked #5. Western Michigan University is a public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students who complete the chemical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,294.
Kettering University earned the #6 position for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from Kettering University make a median of around $71,411 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 · 6 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.