by our College Data Analytics TeamAnalytical Chemistry was the 1,172 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 34 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 8 over the prior year, a growth of 23.5%.
Our 2023 Best Analytical Chemistry Schools ranking analyzes 1 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for analytical chemistry students. Explore this or one of our many other custom analytical chemistry rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in analytical chemistry is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most analytical chemistry degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific analytical chemistry careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of analytical chemistry degrees. You can get anything from a in analytical chemistry to the highest analytical chemistry degree, a . The time it takes to complete a analytical chemistry degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to analytical chemistry, with approximately 46.4% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for analytical chemistry workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 46.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 12.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 11.6% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.6% |
Most workers in analytical chemistry have at least a bachelor's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in analytical chemistry have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the analytical chemistry career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your analytical chemistry degree? Analytical Chemistry careers are expected to grow 8.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to analytical chemistry.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Chemists | 94,000 | 6.5% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Chemistry Professors | 28,900 | 9.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for analytical chemistry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for analytical chemistry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers analytical chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Chemistry Professors | $92,360 |
| Chemists | $83,850 |
With over 12 different analytical chemistry degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased analytical chemistry school rankings to help you with this.
Analytical Chemistry is one of 11 different types of Chemistry programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry | 20,056 |
| Other Chemistry | 710 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 247 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 101 |
| Chemical Physics | 45 |
