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 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their chemistry graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose chemistry graduates go on to earn the most.
Wake Forest University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools in North Carolina. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from Wake Forest University make a median of around $74,850 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in chemistry will find them at East Carolina University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from East Carolina University make a median of around $67,259 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington make a median of around $71,292 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #4 place for chemistry. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of about $68,951 a year early in their careers.
Appalachian State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of about $61,601 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #6 spot for chemistry salaries this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte make a median of around $65,102 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill make a median of around $67,202 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of North Carolina At Asheville make a median of around $55,189 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public school located in the town of Pembroke. Chemistry graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of about $48,762 a year early in their careers.
Western Carolina University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Western Carolina University typically earn about $58,765 annually.
Duke University earned the #11 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Duke University typically earn about $29,748 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 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.