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2024 Best Chemistry Schools

236 Colleges in the United States
21,239 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$40,656 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in chemistry, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #51 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual looked at 236 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Chemistry Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 21,239 degrees in chemistry during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Chemistry School

Best Chemistry Schools The chemistry program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Chemistry rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for chemistry schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Chemistry Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Chemistry
Bachelor's Degrees in Chemistry
Master's Degrees in Chemistry
Doctor's Degrees in Chemistry

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Chemistry Schools list to help you make the college decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Chemistry in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Chemistry

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
146 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$36,403 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in chemistry has to check out University of Chicago. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were roughly 146 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year. After graduating, chemistry degree recipients typically earn around $36,403 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of Chicago

2
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
14th Most Popular In CA
58 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in chemistry. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were approximately 58 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in chemistry from Stanford University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
62 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$72,080 Median Starting Salary

Northwestern University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in chemistry. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 62 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available. Those chemistry students who get their degree from Northwestern University receive $31,424 more than the typical chemistry graduate.

More information about a degree in chemistry from Northwestern University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
170 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$77,446 Median Starting Salary

University of California - Berkeley is a good decision for students pursuing a degree in chemistry. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were approximately 170 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the chemistry program at University of California - Berkeley get $36,789 above the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of California - Berkeley

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
194 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$65,477 Median Starting Salary

UIUC is a very large public university located in the city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were about 194 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Those chemistry students who get their degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign receive $24,820 more than the average chemistry student.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
126 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
5.6% Growth in Graduates

UCSB is a very large public university located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara. This university ranks 10th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 126 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent data year. Those chemistry students who get their degree from University of California - Santa Barbara earn $31,612 more than the standard chemistry grad.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of California - Santa Barbara

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
117 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
2.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were approximately 117 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, chemistry degree recipients generally make an average of $37,662 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in chemistry from Cornell University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
412 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
10.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 412 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent year we have data available. Chemistry degree recipients from University of California - San Diego get an earnings boost of approximately $15,697 above the average earnings of chemistry graduates.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of California - San Diego

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
119 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were approximately 119 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
64 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$50,176 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 36 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were about 64 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available. Those chemistry students who get their degree from University of Maryland - College Park receive $9,520 more than the average chemistry grad.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of Maryland - College Park

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
76 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
5.3% Growth in Graduates

UCONN is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Storrs. This university ranks 2nd out of 28 schools for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were approximately 76 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent data year. Chemistry degree recipients from University of Connecticut earn a boost of around $8,574 over the typical income of chemistry graduates.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of Connecticut

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
135 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
3.0% Growth in Graduates

UCLA is a very large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were about 135 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Chemistry degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles receive an earnings boost of approximately $5,564 above the typical earnings of chemistry majors.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of California - Los Angeles

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MD
58 Chemistry Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were about 58 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
155 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
9.7% Growth in Graduates

UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were roughly 155 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Those chemistry students who get their degree from University of Wisconsin - Madison earn $7,227 more than the standard chemistry graduate.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of Wisconsin - Madison

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
34 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
14.7% Growth in Graduates

Illinois Tech is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. This school ranks 9th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 34 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Tech in the most recent data year. Those chemistry students who get their degree from Illinois Institute of Technology make $37,677 more than the standard chemistry graduate.

More information about a degree in chemistry from Illinois Institute of Technology

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
119 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
14.3% Growth in Graduates

UC Davis is a very large public university located in the suburb of Davis. This university ranks 13th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 119 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent year we have data available. Those chemistry students who get their degree from University of California - Davis earn $6,386 more than the standard chemistry graduate.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of California - Davis

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
152 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$56,261 Median Starting Salary

UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Austin. This university ranks 2nd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 152 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available. Those chemistry students who get their degree from The University of Texas at Austin earn $15,604 more than the average chemistry graduate.

More information about a degree in chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
186 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$41,794 Median Starting Salary

UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the city of Minneapolis. This university ranks 1st out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 186 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the chemistry program earn around $41,794 for their early career.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
175 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$51,133 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 15th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 175 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Those chemistry students who get their degree from University of California - Irvine earn $10,476 more than the standard chemistry student.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of California - Irvine

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$47,828 Median Starting Salary

UMass Amherst is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Amherst. This university ranks 11th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were approximately 48 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent year we have data available. Chemistry degree recipients from University of Massachusetts Amherst receive an earnings boost of around $7,172 above the typical earnings of chemistry graduates.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of Massachusetts Amherst

21
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
107 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$20,784 Median Starting Salary

Emory is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Atlanta. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were approximately 107 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the chemistry program state that they receive average early career earnings of $20,784.

More information about a degree in chemistry from Emory University

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
153 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
2.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were approximately 153 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year. Chemistry degree recipients from Purdue University - Main Campus get an earnings boost of about $14,741 above the typical income of chemistry graduates.

More information about a degree in chemistry from Purdue University - Main Campus

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
56 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$45,450 Median Starting Salary

Iowa State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Ames. This university ranks 1st out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were about 56 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the chemistry major at Iowa State University get $4,794 above the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in chemistry from Iowa State University

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
157 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
29.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were about 157 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients typically make about $28,682 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of Virginia - Main Campus

25
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
226 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
13.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 226 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Chemistry degree recipients from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a boost of approximately $6,817 above the average earnings of chemistry graduates.

More information about a degree in chemistry from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Rest of the Top Best Chemistry Schools

26
27
28
29
30
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
31
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
32

33

34
35
Williams crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Chemistry Schools award.

Rank College Location
36 University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA
37 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
38 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
39 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
40 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
41 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
42 University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA
43 University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA
44 Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA
45 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
46 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
47 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC

Chemistry by Region

View the Best Chemistry Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Chemistry is one of 8 different types of Physical Sciences programs to choose from.

Chemistry Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Chemistry 20,056
Other Chemistry 710
Forensic Chemistry 247
Polymer Chemistry 101
Chemical Physics 45
Analytical Chemistry 34
Environmental Chemistry 25
Organic Chemistry 7
Theoretical Chemistry 7
Physical Chemistry 5

View All Chemistry Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Physics 13,674
Geological & Earth Sciences 7,821
General Physical Sciences 3,823
Astronomy & Astrophysics 1,375
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology 1,140
Materials Sciences 658
Other Physical Science 538
Physics and Astronomy 38

View All Chemistry Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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