Best Colleges and Universities for Chemistry Degrees

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The best chemistry degree programs 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.

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 Americans and Pacific Islanders, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Chemistry Bachelor’s Degrees

Earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry can open numerous professionals doors. You could work with advanced microscopic technology in a laboratory setting, travel the globe in search of solutions to major ecological threats, or join a team of brilliant pharmacologists working on cures to our greatest medical challenges. Learning, discovery, and experimentation are a regular part of the job for chemistry majors. The best schools for chemistry will put you in a position to become an innovator and a leader in this exciting field.

Indeed, the leading chemists help us better understand our own world, advancing our ability to face major global challenges like food scarcity, disease, and climate change. Today, top influencers in chemistry are breaking new ground in biochemistry, nanotechnology, molecular chemistry, and much more.

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Chemistry is a popular major because it can provide a pathway into countless fields and career opportunities. If you’re looking for a well-paying and secure job, a chemistry degree is a great place to start. Chemists study the elements that make up the universe and everything within, including humans, animals, synthetic materials, the Earth, and even other planets. Chemistry majors bring strong analytical skills, research experience, and technical knowledge to a wide range of employment settings.

Chemistry majors can work in numerous specialized fields, many of which are focused on solving the greatest problems of our times. Chemists can pioneer efficient and inexpensive ways to produce life-saving medications, develop alternative textiles that reduce our negative environmental impact and make housing more available and affordable, or analyze and improve the nutritional content of processed foods. Though often working “behind the scenes,” chemistry professionals have a great effect on how we live.

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Once you’ve declared your major in chemistry, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in STEM-related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized chemistry electives, there are a number of common courses that most chemistry majors will be required to take, including:

  • Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Experimental Chemistry
  • Thermodynamics
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Calculus

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Earning a degree in chemistry can qualify you for a number of well-paying jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs for chemistry majors is expected to grow at a rate of 5 percent between now and 2029, which is faster than the average for all occupations. And earnings are far higher than the average for all occupations, with chemists earning a median annual wage of $77,630 in 2019 and materials scientists earning a median pay of $96,810. The following are among the most popular jobs for chemistry majors:

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The Best Colleges and Universities for Chemistry Degrees

Best Chemistry Major Research Universities

  1. Harvard University
  2. MIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  3. Stanford University
  4. University of California, Berkeley
  5. CalTech – California Institute of Technology

Go to The Best Chemistry Research Universities

Best Chemistry Major Liberal Arts Colleges

  1. Pomona College
  2. Amherst College
  3. Wesleyan University
  4. Swarthmore College
  5. Bowdoin College

Go toThe Best Chemistry Liberal Arts Colleges

Career Outlook for Students with Chemistry Degree

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Chemistry

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,769
  • Avg. Expenses*: $16,562
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $38,478
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $56,375
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 10 years
  • Job Growth: 1.96%
  • Number of Jobs: 1,370,100
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers4.87%$122,066
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary3.70%$90,850
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary3.48%$84,717
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary3.80%$83,117
Chemists6.20%$77,236

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$53,776$83,007$130,962

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 North Carolina11% higher than average$88,998
#3 Michigan15% higher than average$84,969
#4 New York5% higher than average$99,845
#5 Ohio14% higher than average$81,585
#6 Missouri16% higher than average$78,913

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers$122,066
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary$90,850
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary$84,717

The Best Chemistry Schools in Your State

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