2027 Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Chemical Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their chemical engineering programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for chemical engineering students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Chemical Engineering in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall chemical engineering education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Chemical Engineering
University Of Wisconsin Madison tops our 2027 ranking of the best chemical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 113 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $85,945. Typical student debt for the program is $21,947.
See the full chemical engineering program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Students looking for a strong chemical engineering program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 251 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $81,105 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in chemical engineering, ranking #3. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 149 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $77,440 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,850 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Students looking for a strong chemical engineering program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 60 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Northwestern University earn around $80,709 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 92 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $83,377 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of Notre Dame
University Of Chicago landed the #6 spot for chemical engineering this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Chicago awarded about 136 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 139 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $86,209 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree.
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Ohio State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best chemical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 160 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $77,455. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full chemical engineering program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 105 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $82,372. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,333 in student loans.
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Michigan State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 84 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $79,023 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,573.
More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University
Case Western Reserve University earned the #11 position for chemical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 61 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $83,706. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full chemical engineering program report for Case Western Reserve University
University Of Dayton ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best chemical engineering schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Dayton awarded about 34 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $79,865 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,999 to complete this degree.
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Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology came in at #13 for chemical engineering this year. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Terre Haute. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 47 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology generally make around $82,394. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500.
Read more about the chemical engineering program at Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
Michigan Technological University came in at #14 for chemical engineering this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 93 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $80,193. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree.
See the full chemical engineering program report for Michigan Technological University
Miami University Oxford earned the #15 position for chemical engineering this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Miami University Oxford awarded about 38 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $77,542. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the chemical engineering program at Miami University Oxford
University Of Toledo placed #16 among the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Toledo awarded about 35 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $79,750 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete this degree.
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University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best chemical engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,377 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete this degree.
See the full chemical engineering program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #18 for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Akron Main Campus awarded about 59 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $71,873 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,168.
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Kettering University earned the #19 position for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Kettering University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Kettering University generally make around $71,411. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree.
See the full chemical engineering program report for Kettering University
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 34 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $67,322 in their early career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
See the full chemical engineering program report for Ohio University Main Campus
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #21 spot for chemical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 23 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $64,526. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,747 in student loans.
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Wayne State University landed the #22 spot for chemical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Detroit. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $71,373. Typical student debt for the program is $29,900.
More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Wayne State University
Cleveland State University came in at #23 for chemical engineering this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. Cleveland State University graduates 51% of students within six years. About 41 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Cleveland State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $69,043. Typical student debt for the program is $28,826.
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Milwaukee School Of Engineering earned the #24 position for chemical engineering this year. Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 22 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Milwaukee School Of Engineering in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Milwaukee School Of Engineering generally make around $55,333. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full chemical engineering program report for Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Western Michigan University came in at #25 for chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Michigan University awarded about 31 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $68,632 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000.
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Rest of the Top 26 Chemical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong chemical engineering education:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 26 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.