by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 8 U.S. colleges awarded 38 degrees and certificates in Analytical Chemistry. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Analytical Chemistry Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $46,311 one year after completing, rising to $74,187 after four years.
A degree in Analytical Chemistry involves the study of Analytical Chemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Techniques For Analyzing And Describing Matter, Including Its Precise Composition And The Interrelationships Of Constituent Elements And Compounds. Includes Instruction In Spectroscopy, Chromatography, Atomic Absorption, Photometry, Chemical Modeling, Mathematical Analysis, Laboratory Analysis Procedures And Equipment Maintenance, And Applications To Specific Research, Industrial And Health Problems.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, analytical chemistry is a popular field of study, with 38 degrees awarded annually. 8 colleges award analytical chemistry degrees, an average of 5 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 14.
By level, the 38 awards include 6 bachelor’s degrees, 25 master’s degrees and 7 doctorates.
Women earned 53% of analytical chemistry degrees and certificates in the latest year (20 of 38). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (21) and Asian (3), and international students earned 7.
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Analytical Chemistry Schools ranking. In all, 8 colleges offer analytical chemistry programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Analytical Chemistry Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common analytical chemistry credential is the master’s degree: 25 of the 38 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to analytical chemistry call most for Reading Comprehension, Writing and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Chemistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an analytical chemistry degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 25 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to analytical chemistry, at 38.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.2% |
| Master’s degree | 17.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 11.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.7% |
| Some college courses | 5.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Analytical Chemistry, with an average median salary of $102,057; the strongest outlook belongs to Chemical Technicians, at 11.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Project Manager, Clinical Trials Manager, Research Coordinator and Clinical Program Coordinator.
The occupation related to analytical chemistry with the most projected jobs is Clinical Research Coordinators, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Chemical Technicians | 136,017 | 11.6% |
| Chemists | 91,666 | 3.1% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Analytical Chemistry graduates earn a median $46,311 one year after completing their program, $74,187 after four years and $72,061 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,311 |
| 4 years | $74,187 |
| 5 years | $72,061 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to analytical chemistry is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
| Chemical Technicians | $60,181 |
| Chemists | $59,779 |
Analytical Chemistry has 10 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 19,823 degrees a year; the largest are Chemistry, General (18,718), Chemistry, Other (574) and Forensic Chemistry (363). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry, General | 18,718 |
| Chemistry, Other | 574 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 363 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 72 |
| Chemical Physics | 44 |
| Environmental Chemistry | 21 |
| Organic Chemistry | 9 |
| Physical Chemistry | 9 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 9 |
| Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
