by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a chemistry degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying chemistry schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send chemistry graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in chemistry, no school beat California Institute Of Technology this year. California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $133,219.
Students chasing top earnings in chemistry will find them at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $165,865 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in chemistry will find them at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $117,249.
University Of California Davis produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of about $136,811 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Irvine came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of California Irvine make a median of around $117,065 per year.
University Of California San Diego ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of about $78,004 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Riverside earned the #7 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of about $90,970 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 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.