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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find where chemistry graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send chemistry graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Colorado Denver the top school for chemistry graduate earnings in the Rocky Mountains Region. University Of Colorado Denver is a public school located in the city of Denver. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver typically earn about $85,398 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Boise State University earned it the #2 place for chemistry. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,112.
A rank of #3 makes Colorado School Of Mines one of the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Colorado School Of Mines is a public school located in the suburb of Golden. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,667.
Students chasing top earnings in chemistry will find them at Colorado State University Fort Collins, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,180.
University Of Northern Colorado produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a public school located in the city of Greeley. Chemistry graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $62,043 a year early in their careers.
University Of Utah came in at #6 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of Utah make a median of around $66,729 per year.
Weber State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from Weber State University make a median of around $50,350 per year.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver typically earn about $62,636 annually.
University Of Wyoming placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Wyoming typically earn about $40,280 annually.
University Of Idaho landed the #10 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Idaho typically earn about $38,664 annually.
Fort Lewis College landed the #11 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Fort Lewis College typically earn about $34,159 annually.
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 · 11 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.