by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their chemistry graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the early-career earnings of their chemistry graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose chemistry graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in chemistry, no school beat California State University Bakersfield this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from California State University Bakersfield make a median of around $68,270 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Eastern Washington University earned it the #2 place for chemistry. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from Eastern Washington University make a median of around $67,089 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at San Francisco State University earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $94,846.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Oregon earned it the #4 place for chemistry. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,898.
California State University Long Beach produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a public school located in the city of Long Beach. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from California State University Long Beach typically earn about $80,456 annually.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #6 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $65,228 annually.
University Of California San Diego placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. University Of California San Diego is a public school located in the city of La Jolla. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of California San Diego make a median of around $83,272 per year.
Western Washington University came in at #8 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Western Washington University typically earn about $77,595 annually.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #9 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,458.
Central Washington University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of about $60,029 a year early in their careers.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. California State University Stanislaus is a public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Chemistry graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of about $88,087 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Davis landed the #12 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of California Davis make a median of around $81,776 per year.
University Of California Merced placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from University Of California Merced typically earn about $64,086 annually.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus typically earn about $68,591 annually.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,591.
Portland State University landed the #16 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $84,800.
University Of California Irvine placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,001.
California State University Sacramento landed the #18 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $72,393 a year early in their careers.
Oregon State University earned the #19 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Oregon State University typically earn about $70,654 annually.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #20 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $69,376 a year early in their careers.
San Diego State University came in at #21 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. San Diego State University is a public school located in the city of San Diego. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from San Diego State University typically earn about $67,059 annually.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #22 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona typically earn about $65,641 annually.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino typically earn about $66,198 annually.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #24 spot for chemistry salaries this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,290.
California State University San Marcos landed the #25 spot for chemistry salaries this year. California State University San Marcos is a public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from California State University San Marcos typically earn about $49,382 annually.
These schools also send chemistry graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries chemistry graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 35 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
