General Chemistry programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general chemistry programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 395 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general chemistry students pursuing a degree.
The general chemistry program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best General Chemistry Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Chemistry Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for General Chemistry in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in general chemistry. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 51 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
See the full general chemistry program report for Stanford University
Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 31 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
See the full general chemistry program report for Vanderbilt University
University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general chemistry schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 131 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
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Rice University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 68 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $75,299 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
See the full general chemistry program report for Rice University
Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general chemistry, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 40 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,360 in student loans.
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University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for general chemistry this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 97 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $99,682 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
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Harvard University landed the #7 spot for general chemistry this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 103 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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University Of California Berkeley earned the #8 position for general chemistry this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 234 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. General Chemistry graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $83,865 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $11,172 in student loans.
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Dartmouth College came in at #9 for general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. Dartmouth College awarded about 20 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989.
See the full general chemistry program report for Dartmouth College
Brown University earned the #10 position for general chemistry this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 33 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from Brown University earn around $62,820 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,025.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #11 position for general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 11 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $65,183 in their early career. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans.
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San Jose State University came in at #12 for general chemistry this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 37 general chemistry degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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Northwestern University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best general chemistry schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $90,302 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
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Tufts University came in at #14 for general chemistry this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from Tufts University earn around $68,154 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074.
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Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #15 position for general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 18 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general chemistry from Saint Louis University Main Campus
Amherst College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 24 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Amherst College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $59,271 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,398.
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Princeton University earned the #17 position for general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. Princeton University awarded about 97 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $67,532 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #18 position for general chemistry this year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates 90% of students within six years. Worcester Polytechnic Institute awarded about 19 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $91,834 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,259.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #19 position for general chemistry this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 77 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
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Bowdoin College landed the #20 spot for general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 12 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Bowdoin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete this degree.
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Middlebury College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best general chemistry schools. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Middlebury College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $54,713 in their early career. Middlebury College graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans.
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Colgate University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best general chemistry schools. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans.
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Drake University landed the #23 spot for general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 11 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $56,228 in their early career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans.
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New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #24 among the best general chemistry schools. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 general chemistry degrees were awarded at New Jersey Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn around $71,549 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete this degree.
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University Of Denver landed the #25 spot for general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 19 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from University Of Denver earn around $56,999 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
See the full general chemistry program report for University Of Denver
Rest of the Top 50 General Chemistry Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general chemistry education:
This ranking is produced 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 · 395 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).
