by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 21 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.
Leading the list is Baylor University, our #1 for chemistry graduate salaries in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,294.
Students chasing top earnings in chemistry will find them at University Of Arizona, which ranked #2. University Of Arizona is a public school located in the city of Tucson. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of Arizona make a median of around $104,826 per year.
University Of Central Oklahoma produces some of the highest-paid graduates in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from University Of Central Oklahoma make a median of around $62,487 per year.
University Of Houston came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of about $74,603 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Texas A And M University College Station earned it the #5 place for chemistry. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,127.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $81,388 annually.
Northern Arizona University came in at #7 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Early-career chemistry graduates from Northern Arizona University make a median of around $66,140 per year.
Texas Southern University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a public institution. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,038.
Sam Houston State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying chemistry schools. Sam Houston State University is a public school located in the town of Huntsville. Chemistry graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $56,588 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas typically earn about $48,783 annually.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #11 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,543.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #12 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $69,082 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Texas placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. University Of North Texas is a public school located in the city of Denton. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,789.
Texas Tech University landed the #14 spot for chemistry salaries this year. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. Chemistry graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of about $68,194 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University earned the #15 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of about $55,428 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University Skysong placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for chemistry. Arizona State University Skysong is a public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Students who complete the chemistry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,428.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #17 spot for chemistry salaries this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a public school located in the city of Houston. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown typically earn about $54,946 annually.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #18 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school located in the city of San Marcos. Chemistry graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of about $42,897 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #19 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American typically earn about $63,154 annually.
Southern Methodist University earned the #20 position for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients from Southern Methodist University typically earn about $38,919 annually.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #21 for chemistry graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Chemistry graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of about $30,122 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 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.