Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2026

Badge for BEST FOR CHEMISTRY LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

The best chemistry liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best chemistry degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding chemistry faculty.

Key Takeaways

  • The best liberal arts colleges for chemistry degrees use the latest technology and advancements in the field to ensure chemistry students are well prepared to enter the field.
  • Students seeking a degree in chemistry at a liberal arts college will also receive foundational knowledge in the environmental, material, and bioengineering sciences.
  • Chemistry majors can typically choose a concentration such as biochemistry, chemical physics, life sciences, or organic chemistry.

Featured Programs

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees

  1. #1

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown , CT

    Tuition + fees

    $73K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1477/34

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $67,016
    Expenses: $21,704
    Starting Salary: $50,478
    Salary after 4 years: $76,413
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Wesleyan University Chemistry Major:

    BA Chemistry Tracks:

    • Physics and math
    • Biological and biochemical
    • BA/MA 5 year program Chemistry

    Source

  2. #2

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1525/34

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Swarthmore College

    Cost of Degree: $62,412
    Expenses: $21,691
    Starting Salary: $50,187
    Salary after 4 years: $75,973
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Swarthmore College Chemistry Majors:

    • Chemistry
    • Biochemistry
    • Chemical Physics

    Source

  3. #3

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $74K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Amherst College

    Cost of Degree: $67,280
    Expenses: $20,360
    Starting Salary: $55,333
    Salary after 4 years: $83,763
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Amherst College Chemistry Major:

    • BA Chemistry

    Source

  4. #5

    Smith College

    Northampton , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $67K

    Acceptance

    21%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1480/33

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Smith College

    Cost of Degree: $61,568
    Expenses: $24,462
    Starting Salary: $40,666
    Salary after 4 years: $61,560
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Smith College Chemistry Majors:

    • Chemistry
    • Biochemistry

    Source

  5. #6

    Oberlin College

    Oberlin , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    34%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/32

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Oberlin College

    Cost of Degree: $64,646
    Expenses: $22,758
    Starting Salary: $35,398
    Salary after 4 years: $53,586
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Oberlin College Chemistry Majors:

    • Chemistry
    • Biochemistry

    Source

  6. #7

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $73K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1530/34

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Williams College

    Cost of Degree: $64,860
    Expenses: $20,000
    Starting Salary: $55,795
    Salary after 4 years: $84,461
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Williams College Chemistry Majors:

    Focus Areas:

    • Biochemistry
    • Organic Chemistry
    • Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
    • Materials Science

    Source

  7. #8

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $70K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/34

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Wellesley College

    Cost of Degree: $64,320
    Expenses: $21,970
    Starting Salary: $52,599
    Salary after 4 years: $79,624
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Wellesley College Chemistry Major:

    • BA Chemistry

    Source

  8. #9

    Barnard College

    New York , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $73K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/33

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Barnard College

    Cost of Degree: $66,246
    Expenses: $23,562
    Starting Salary: $57,147
    Salary after 4 years: $86,509
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Barnard College Chemistry Majors:

    • Biochemistry
    • Chemistry

    5 year Masters Program:

    • Chemical Engineering
    • Biomedical Engineering

    Source

  9. #11

    Bryn Mawr College

    Bryn Mawr , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    29%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1395/31

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Bryn Mawr College

    Cost of Degree: $62,560
    Expenses: $20,690
    Starting Salary: $46,687
    Salary after 4 years: $70,674
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Byrn Mawr College Chemistry Major:

    • Chemistry

    Concentrations:

    • Biochemistry
    • Geochemistry

    Source

  10. #12

    Reed College

    Portland , OR

    Tuition + fees

    $72K

    Acceptance

    25%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1405/32

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Reed College

    Cost of Degree: $67,020
    Expenses: $19,520
    Starting Salary: $37,782
    Salary after 4 years: $57,195
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Reed College Chemistry Majors:

    • Chemistry
    • Biochemistry
    • Molecular biology
    • Chemistry-physics
    • Chemistry-environmental studies
    • Dual Degree Chemical Engineering

    Source

  11. #13

    Haverford College

    Haverford , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $74K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1505/34

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Haverford College

    Cost of Degree: $68,020
    Expenses: $22,082
    Starting Salary: $44,423
    Salary after 4 years: $67,247
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Haverford College Chemistry Major Concentrations:

    • Biochemistry
    • Scientific Computing

    Source

  12. #14

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1525/34

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Pomona College

    Cost of Degree: $62,326
    Expenses: $22,974
    Starting Salary: $49,007
    Salary after 4 years: $74,186
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Pomona College Chemistry Majors:

    • BA Chemistry
    • Chemical Engineering Track

    Source

  13. #15

    Bowdoin College

    Brunswick , ME

    Tuition + fees

    $72K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/34

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Bowdoin College

    Cost of Degree: $64,910
    Expenses: $20,190
    Starting Salary: $52,421
    Salary after 4 years: $79,355
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Bowdoin College Chemistry Major Concentrations:

    • Chemical
    • Educational
    • Environmental
    • Geochemical
    • Neurochemical

    Source

  14. #16

    Colgate University

    Hamilton , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $74K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1485/33

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Colgate University

    Cost of Degree: $67,024
    Expenses: $20,046
    Starting Salary: $56,012
    Salary after 4 years: $84,791
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Colgate College Chemistry Majors:

    • Chemistry
    • Biochemistry

    Source

  15. #17

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT

    Tuition + fees

    $71K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1497/34

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Middlebury College

    Cost of Degree: $65,280
    Expenses: $20,600
    Starting Salary: $49,470
    Salary after 4 years: $74,887
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Middlebury College Chemistry Majors:

    Focus Areas:

    • Biochemistry
    • Organic Chemistry
    • Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
    • Materials Science

    Source

  16. #19

    Carleton College

    Northfield , MN

    Tuition + fees

    $72K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1505/33

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Carleton College

    Cost of Degree: $65,457
    Expenses: $19,436
    Starting Salary: $48,112
    Salary after 4 years: $72,832
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Carleton College Chemistry Majors:

    • Chemistry
    • ACS certified chemistry

    Source

  17. #20

    Kenyon College

    Gambier , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $72K

    Acceptance

    31%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Kenyon College

    Cost of Degree: $69,330
    Expenses: $18,260
    Starting Salary: $38,249
    Salary after 4 years: $57,901
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Kenyon College Chemistry Major:

    • BA Chemistry

    Source

  18. #21

    Grinnell College

    Grinnell , IA

    Tuition + fees

    $72K

    Acceptance

    15%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1475/32

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Grinnell College

    Cost of Degree: $64,862
    Expenses: $18,628
    Starting Salary: $41,928
    Salary after 4 years: $63,470
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Grinnell College Chemistry Major:

    • Chemistry

    Source

  19. #22

    Harvey Mudd College

    Claremont , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $73K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/35

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Harvey Mudd College

    Cost of Degree: $66,255
    Expenses: $23,910
    Starting Salary: $95,506
    Salary after 4 years: $144,576
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Harvey Mudd College Chemistry Major:

    Common emphases:

    • Applied Chemistry (for Chemical Engineering)
    • Computational Chemistry
    • Environmental Chemistry
    • Materials Science
    • Geochemistry
    • Dual major: Chemistry and Biology

    Source

  20. #23

    Davidson College

    Davidson , NC

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1465/32

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Davidson College

    Cost of Degree: $60,050
    Expenses: $19,175
    Starting Salary: $51,924
    Salary after 4 years: $78,602
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Davison College Chemistry Major:

    • One-on-one and small group researchs opportunities
    • Independent study options

    Source

  21. #24

    Claremont McKenna College

    Claremont , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $72K

    Acceptance

    10%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at Claremont McKenna College

    Cost of Degree: $64,150
    Expenses: $22,350
    Starting Salary: $74,156
    Salary after 4 years: $112,257
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Claremont Mckenna College Chemistry Major:

    • ACS accredited Chemistrymajor
    • Dual majors available

    Source

  22. Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    31%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    24K

    Career Outlook for Chemistry degree at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

    Cost of Degree: $11,075
    Expenses: $21,246
    Starting Salary: $66,721
    Salary after 4 years: $90,295
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo known for?

    California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Cal Poly Chemistry Majors:

    • BS in Chemistry
    • BS in Chemistry – Polymers and Coatings
    • BS in Biochemistry
    • BS in Biochemistry – Polymers and Coatings
    • BS in Biochemistry or Chemistry with Teaching Option
    • Blended BS/MS in Polymers and Coatings

    Source

Career Outlook for Students with Chemistry Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Chemistry

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $11,203
  • Avg. Expenses*: $17,489
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $41,679
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $56,406
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 10 years
  • Job Growth: 6.64%
  • Number of Jobs: 271,000
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers7.49%$157,740
Computer and Information Research Scientists25.68%$145,080
Data Scientists36.03%$108,020
Computer Occupations, All Other10.85%$104,920
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary3.95%$98,020

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers$157,740
Computer and Information Research Scientists$145,080
Data Scientists$108,020

A bachelor’s degree in chemistry is an excellent starting point for a career in engineering, pharmacology, environmental science, food science, forensics, and a host of other promising fields. As a chemistry major, you’ll study the matter and processes that make up the universe and everything within, living and nonliving. Your chemistry degree will incorporate major life sciences like biology and physics as well as foundational courses in organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and molecular chemistry. The best schools for chemistry are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of chemistry concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Degree popularity: Chemistry bachelor’s degrees are among the top 50 most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics. It’s slightly more popular among men, and ranks the 23th most popular degree among Asian American and Pacific Islanders, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics.

If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in chemistry.

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry programs

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