Chemistry programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 409 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for chemistry students pursuing a degree.
Where you study chemistry matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Chemistry Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Chemistry Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for chemistry. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in chemistry from Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for chemistry. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
See the full chemistry program report for Vanderbilt University
Students looking for a strong chemistry program will find one at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 153 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
More information about a degree in chemistry from University Of Chicago
Students looking for a strong chemistry program will find one at Rice University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904.
Get the full chemistry details for Rice University
Washington University In St Louis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 73 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,360.
Get the full chemistry details for Washington University In St Louis
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for chemistry this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. About 97 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $99,682 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
Read more about the chemistry program at University Of Pennsylvania
Harvard University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best chemistry schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 126 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Get the full chemistry details for Harvard University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #8 spot for chemistry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 234 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $83,865 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,172 to complete this degree.
Read more about the chemistry program at University Of California Berkeley
Dartmouth College came in at #9 for chemistry this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 21 chemistry degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989.
Read more about the chemistry program at Dartmouth College
Brown University earned the #10 position for chemistry this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. About 96% of students finish within six years. Brown University awarded about 37 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $62,820 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in chemistry from Brown University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #11 for chemistry this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 11 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Chemistry graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
More information about a degree in chemistry from University Of St Thomas Minnesota
San Jose State University placed #12 among the best chemistry schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 37 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in chemistry from San Jose State University
Northwestern University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best chemistry schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $90,302. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Read more about the chemistry program at Northwestern University
Tufts University landed the #14 spot for chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
Read more about the chemistry program at Tufts University
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #15 among the best chemistry schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 18 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $65,599 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete this degree.
See the full chemistry program report for Saint Louis University Main Campus
Amherst College landed the #16 spot for chemistry this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Amherst College awarded about 24 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $59,271. Typical student debt for the program is $15,398.
See the full chemistry program report for Amherst College
Princeton University came in at #17 for chemistry this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Princeton University awarded about 97 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans.
Get the full chemistry details for Princeton University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best chemistry schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Worcester. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates 90% of students within six years. Worcester Polytechnic Institute awarded about 19 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn around $91,834 in the first couple years of their career. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans.
Read more about the chemistry program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #19 among the best chemistry schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $86,770 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Get the full chemistry details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Bowdoin College earned the #20 position for chemistry this year. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Bowdoin College in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $58,938 early in their careers. Bowdoin College graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans.
Read more about the chemistry program at Bowdoin College
Middlebury College came in at #21 for chemistry this year. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $54,713. Middlebury College graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans.
Read more about the chemistry program at Middlebury College
Colgate University placed #22 among the best chemistry schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree.
Read more about the chemistry program at Colgate University
Drake University came in at #23 for chemistry this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 11 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $56,228 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273.
More information about a degree in chemistry from Drake University
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #24 for chemistry this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. New Jersey Institute Of Technology awarded about 13 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. New Jersey Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans.
See the full chemistry program report for New Jersey Institute Of Technology
University Of Denver came in at #25 for chemistry this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Denver. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
Read more about the chemistry program at University Of Denver
Rest of the Top 50 Chemistry Schools
These schools also placed among the best for chemistry this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 409 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
