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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their chemistry graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find where chemistry graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose chemistry graduates go on to earn the most.
Saginaw Valley State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools in Michigan. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,167.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor typically earn about $103,060 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Kalamazoo College one of the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,184.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Michigan University one of the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Eastern Michigan University is a public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University typically earn about $60,017 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in chemistry will find them at Grand Valley State University, which ranked #5. Grand Valley State University is a public school located in the town of Allendale. Chemistry graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $57,685 a year early in their careers.
Wayne State University landed the #6 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from Wayne State University make a median of around $59,768 per year.
Michigan State University came in at #7 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,345.
Hope College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,029.
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 · 8 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.