by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find where chemical engineering graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose chemical engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Texas A And M University College Station, our #1 for chemical engineering graduate salaries in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Students who complete the chemical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $123,773.
Rice University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from Rice University make a median of around $117,477 per year.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students who complete the chemical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $110,742.
A rank of #4 makes Lamar University one of the highest-paying schools for chemical engineering. Lamar University is a public school located in the city of Beaumont. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from Lamar University make a median of around $110,515 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for chemical engineering. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus typically earn about $106,170 annually.
Arizona State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Chemical Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of about $108,757 a year early in their careers.
University Of Houston ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Early-career chemical engineering graduates from University Of Houston make a median of around $99,077 per year.
Texas Tech University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Chemical Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of about $96,061 a year early in their careers.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #9 for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus typically earn about $90,597 annually.
University Of Arizona landed the #10 spot for chemical engineering salaries this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Students who complete the chemical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $95,730.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. Chemical Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $89,216 a year early in their careers.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #12 spot for chemical engineering salaries this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the chemical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $89,830.
Prairie View A And M University came in at #13 for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. Prairie View A And M University is a public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University typically earn about $92,981 annually.
University Of Tulsa ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemical engineering schools. University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Tulsa earn a median of about $107,874 a year early in their careers.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #15 position for chemical engineering graduate earnings this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public school located in the town of Kingsville. Students who complete the chemical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,622.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for chemical engineering. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. After graduating, chemical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology typically earn about $57,215 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries chemical engineering graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 16 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.