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 10 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 Northeastern University this year. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Early-career chemistry graduates from Northeastern University make a median of around $119,157 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Oregon one of the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of about $112,497 a year early in their careers.
Villanova University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Chemistry graduates of Villanova University earn a median of about $77,371 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned it the #4 place for chemistry. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of about $85,818 a year early in their careers.
Florida State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida State University is a public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Early-career chemistry graduates from Florida State University make a median of around $69,821 per year.
University Of California San Diego landed the #6 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of California San Diego make a median of around $63,139 per year.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,750.
South Dakota State University earned the #8 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of about $59,387 a year early in their careers.
Georgia State University earned the #9 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from Georgia State University make a median of around $44,230 per year.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Located 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 $42,369 a year early in their careers.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Chemistry rankings across degree levels:
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 · 10 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.