by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 43 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.
Indiana State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Indiana State University typically earn about $73,702 annually.
Butler University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Butler University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Butler University typically earn about $73,619 annually.
Wright State University Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,096.
Students chasing top earnings in chemistry will find them at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse, which ranked #4. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,147.
Northwestern University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Northwestern University typically earn about $161,473 annually.
The College Of Wooster came in at #6 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. The College Of Wooster is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. Early-career chemistry graduates from The College Of Wooster make a median of around $65,266 per year.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Chemistry graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of about $63,474 a year early in their careers.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of about $63,167 a year early in their careers.
Youngstown State University came in at #9 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Youngstown State University is a public school located in the city of Youngstown. Early-career chemistry graduates from Youngstown State University make a median of around $63,142 per year.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #10 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago typically earn about $62,220 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of Wisconsin Madison make a median of around $73,896 per year.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #12 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public school located in the town of River Falls. Chemistry graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of about $58,557 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. Chemistry graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $85,716 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater make a median of around $70,214 per year.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #15 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor make a median of around $103,060 per year.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Columbus. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $98,486.
Kalamazoo College came in at #17 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Kalamazoo College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,184.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #18 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,758.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,130.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of Wisconsin Platteville make a median of around $63,564 per year.
Cleveland State University landed the #21 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of about $65,091 a year early in their careers.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Athens. Chemistry graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $71,665 a year early in their careers.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #23 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,777.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #24 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent typically earn about $76,430 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #25 spot for chemistry salaries this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,104.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid chemistry ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their chemistry graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 43 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.