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 highest-paying schools turn a chemistry degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the early-career earnings of their chemistry graduates.
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 Wright State University Main Campus 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.
A rank of #2 makes The College Of Wooster one of the highest-paying schools for chemistry. The College Of Wooster is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. Chemistry graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of about $65,266 a year early in their careers.
Case Western Reserve University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from Case Western Reserve University make a median of around $63,474 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Youngstown State University earned it the #4 place for chemistry. Youngstown State University is a public school located in the city of Youngstown. Chemistry graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of about $63,142 a year early in their careers.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus make a median of around $67,758 per year.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus typically earn about $73,644 annually.
Cleveland State University came in at #7 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Cleveland State University typically earn about $65,091 annually.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $71,665 a year early in their careers.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from Kent State University At Kent make a median of around $76,430 per year.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $60,969 a year early in their careers.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus typically earn about $44,970 annually.
John Carroll University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. Chemistry graduates of John Carroll University earn a median of about $65,924 a year early in their careers.
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 · 12 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.