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2024 Best Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools

233 Colleges in the United States
14,951 Bachelor's Degrees
$36,232 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #36 in popularity, chemistry is one of the most sought-after bachelor's degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual looked at 233 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 14,951 bachelor's degrees in chemistry to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Chemistry School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools Your choice of chemistry for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. Important measures of a quality chemistry program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for chemistry students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Chemistry Schools

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More Chemistry Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 Bachelor's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.

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.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Chemistry in the United States

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in chemistry. 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 for a Bachelor's in Chemistry

1

University of Chicago is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in chemistry. Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Soon after graduation, chemistry bachelor's recipients typically make around $36,403 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of Chicago

2
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
12 Annual Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in chemistry needs to take a look at Stanford University. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Stanford.More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from Stanford University

3
113 Annual Graduates
$47,449 Median Starting Salary
$11,172 Median Student Debt

It's difficult to beat University of California - Berkeley if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in chemistry. UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley.

Those chemistry students who get their bachelor's degree from University of California - Berkeley receive $11,217 more than the average chemistry student.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of California - Berkeley

4
139 Annual Graduates
$38,970 Median Starting Salary
$21,500 Median Student Debt

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in chemistry has to check out University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population.

Chemistry bachelor's degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn a boost of about $2,738 over the typical income of chemistry majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

5

Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemistry program at Northwestern University get $4,817 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from Northwestern University

6
100 Annual Graduates
$40,310 Median Starting Salary
$15,805 Median Student Debt

Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemistry program at University of California - Santa Barbara make $4,078 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of California - Santa Barbara

7
311 Annual Graduates
$38,643 Median Starting Salary
$16,100 Median Student Debt

UCSD is a fairly large public university located in the city of La Jolla.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemistry degree program at University of California - San Diego make $2,411 more than the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of California - San Diego

8
85 Annual Graduates
$43,205 Median Starting Salary
$14,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemistry major at University of California - Davis earn $6,973 more than the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of California - Davis

9
44 Annual Graduates
$49,230 Median Starting Salary
$26,158 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemistry major at University of Connecticut earn $12,998 above the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of Connecticut

10
44 Annual Graduates
$50,176 Median Starting Salary
$21,238 Median Student Debt

UMCP is a very large public university located in the suburb of College Park.

Bachelor's recipients from the chemistry program at University of Maryland - College Park get $13,944 above the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of Maryland - College Park

11
47 Annual Graduates
$34,503 Median Starting Salary
$14,137 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the chemistry program state that they receive average early career earnings of $34,503.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of California - Los Angeles

12
53 Annual Graduates
$37,662 Median Starting Salary
$15,121 Median Student Debt

Cornell is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the chemistry program make around $37,662 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from Cornell University

13
73 Annual Graduates
$38,140 Median Starting Salary
$26,043 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduating, chemistry bachelor's recipients typically earn about $38,140 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of Wisconsin - Madison

14
124 Annual Graduates
$40,785 Median Starting Salary
$18,500 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Chemistry bachelor's degree recipients from The University of Texas at Austin get an earnings boost of around $4,553 above the typical income of chemistry graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin

15
125 Annual Graduates
$34,936 Median Starting Salary
$13,276 Median Student Debt

UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the city of Irvine.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the chemistry program report average early career income of $34,936.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of California - Irvine

16
14 Annual Graduates
$12,366 Median Student Debt

Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore.More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University

17
91 Annual Graduates
$40,760 Median Starting Salary
$19,500 Median Student Debt

Purdue is a very large public university located in the small city of West Lafayette.

Those chemistry students who get their bachelor's degree from Purdue University - Main Campus receive $4,528 more than the standard chemistry student.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from Purdue University - Main Campus

18
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
77 Annual Graduates
$20,784 Median Starting Salary
$20,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the chemistry program make around $20,784 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from Emory University

19
109 Annual Graduates
$41,794 Median Starting Salary
$21,158 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population.

Those chemistry students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities receive $5,562 more than the typical chemistry student.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

20
174 Annual Graduates
$32,313 Median Starting Salary
$14,250 Median Student Debt

UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public university located in the small city of Chapel Hill.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the chemistry program report average early career income of $32,313.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

21
53 Annual Graduates
$42,508 Median Starting Salary
$19,500 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a very large student population.

Chemistry bachelor's degree recipients from Texas A&M University - College Station get an earnings boost of approximately $6,276 above the typical income of chemistry graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from Texas A&M University - College Station

22
116 Annual Graduates
$28,682 Median Starting Salary
$19,425 Median Student Debt

University of Virginia is a very large public university located in the suburb of Charlottesville.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the chemistry program report average early career wages of $28,682.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of Virginia - Main Campus

23

Located in the suburb of Amherst, UMass Amherst is a public university with a very large student population.

Chemistry bachelor's degree recipients from University of Massachusetts Amherst receive an earnings boost of approximately $11,596 above the average income of chemistry graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of Massachusetts Amherst

24
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
47 Annual Graduates
$42,255 Median Starting Salary
$28,481 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Chemistry bachelor's degree recipients from Michigan State University earn a boost of about $6,023 over the average earnings of chemistry majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from Michigan State University

25
72 Annual Graduates
$33,222 Median Starting Salary
$15,389 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the chemistry program report average early career earnings of $33,222.

More information about a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

Rest of the Top Best Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools

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27
28
29
30
30
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
31

32
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

33
34
Williams crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

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 Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
35 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
36 University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA
37 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
38 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
39 University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA
40 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
41 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
42 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
43 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
44 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
45 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
46 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA

Chemistry by Region

View the Best Chemistry Bachelor's Degree 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

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One of 8 majors within the Physical Sciences area of study, Chemistry has other similar majors worth exploring.

Chemistry Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Chemistry 14,044
Other Chemistry 630
Forensic Chemistry 230
Chemical Physics 20
Environmental Chemistry 9
Analytical Chemistry 6
Theoretical Chemistry 6
Polymer Chemistry 5
Cheminformatics/Chemistry Informatics 1

Related Major Annual Graduates
Physics 8,290
Geological & Earth Sciences 5,119
Astronomy & Astrophysics 979
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology 755
General Physical Sciences 320
Other Physical Science 274
Materials Sciences 203
Physics and Astronomy 15

Notes and References

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