2026 Best Chemical Engineering Schools in California

1

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 ranking of the best chemical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 179 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $81,553 in their early 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

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for chemical engineering. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University

3

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 99 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles 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. Typical student debt for the program is $18,205. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of California Los Angeles

4

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for chemical engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 57 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from University Of Southern California earn around $68,234 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of Southern California

5

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

Students looking for a strong chemical engineering program will find one at University Of California Davis, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 72 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

6

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #6 position for chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Get the full chemical engineering details for San Jose State University

7

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology came in at #7 for chemical engineering this year. 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. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 20 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. Get the full chemical engineering details for California Institute Of Technology

8

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #8 spot for chemical engineering this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 114 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $59,508 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $18,157 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of California San Diego

9

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #9 for chemical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 69 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $79,737 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $14,937 in student loans. Read more about the chemical engineering program at University Of California Santa Barbara

10

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #10 for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 72 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $57,540 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. See the full chemical engineering program report for University Of California Irvine

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #11 for chemical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 66 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $69,009. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. See the full chemical engineering program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

12

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #12 among the best chemical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of California Riverside awarded about 67 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $68,245 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $17,413 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of California Riverside

13

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #13 position for chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 55 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $45,164. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for California State University Long Beach