Chemical Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Chemical engineering is a dynamic field focused on transforming raw materials into valuable products through the application of scientific and mathematical principles. It emphasizes the design, optimization, and analysis of processes that involve chemical, physical, and biological transformations at industrial scales.
- Chemical Reactors: Study and design of systems where chemical reactions occur, focusing on efficiency, safety, and scalability in industrial settings.
- Kinetic Systems: Analysis of reaction rates and mechanisms to predict and control the behavior of chemical transformations over time.
- Electrochemical Systems: Exploration of processes involving electron transfer, including batteries, fuel cells, and electrolysis for energy and material production.
- Energy Conservation Processes: Development of strategies and technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste in industrial operations.
- Heat and Mass Transfer Systems: Investigation of how heat and matter move through materials and systems, critical for process design and control.
- Separation Processes: Application of techniques such as distillation, filtration, and membrane separation to isolate and purify substances.
- Corrosion Analysis: Evaluation of material degradation in harsh environments to enhance equipment longevity and safety.
- Particle Abrasion and Flow Dynamics: Study of solid particle behavior and interactions within fluid systems to prevent wear and optimize transport.
- Energy Loss Modeling: Quantification and mitigation of inefficiencies in energy systems to improve overall process performance.
- Pollution Control and Environmental Impact Assessment: Integration of sustainable practices to minimize emissions and manage waste in chemical production.
- Fluid Mechanics: Understanding the behavior of liquids and gases in motion, essential for designing pipelines, reactors, and processing equipment.
Chemical Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Chemical Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Chemical Engineering degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Chemical Engineers and Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 270,580 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Chemical Engineers 17-2041 | $121,860 | $78,520 - $182,150 | 20,330 | $58.59 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
Chemical Engineering Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $109,420 in Florida to $165,475 in California—a 51% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Mexico, and Hawaii. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 270,580 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Chemical Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Chemical Engineering programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Chemical Engineering is found at Texas A & M University, College Station (261 graduates), North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (243 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (217 graduates), Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (204 graduates), and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Main Campus (191 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 8,988 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
261 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
243 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
217 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
204 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
191 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
179 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
177 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
174 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
165 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
158 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
157 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
151 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Colorado School of Mines |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
150 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
148 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
145 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
140 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
135 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
134 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
128 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
124 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
119 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
114 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
108 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
101 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
101 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
100 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
99 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
99 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
97 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
97 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
97 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
93 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
91 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | web.mit.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
89 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
87 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
86 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
86 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
85 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
84 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
84 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
81 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
79 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
79 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | njit.edu |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
77 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | wpi.edu |
| University of Akron |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
77 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
77 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
75 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
72 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
72 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
72 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
72 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
71 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | Troy, New York | Private | rpi.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
69 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| Princeton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
69 | Princeton, New Jersey | Private | princeton.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
68 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Bachelor's
|
66 | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
65 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
64 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
63 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
63 | Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Rice University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
61 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Villanova University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
61 | Villanova, Pennsylvania | Private | villanova.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
59 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
58 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
57 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
55 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
53 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
53 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
52 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
51 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
51 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Lehigh University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | lehigh.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
49 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Clarkson University (Clarkson) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
49 | Potsdam, New York | Private | clarkson.edu |
| Tennessee Technological University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
49 | Cookeville, Tennessee | Public | tntech.edu |
| University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Bachelor's
|
48 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
48 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
47 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
46 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Stevens Institute of Technology |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
46 | Hoboken, New Jersey | Private | stevens.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
46 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
45 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
44 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
44 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
44 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Chemical Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Chemical Engineering degree?
Salaries for Chemical Engineering graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Chemical Engineers earn around $121,860. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $165,475 compared to $109,420 in Florida. Approximately 270,580 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Chemical Engineering programs?
Currently 190 accredited institutions offer Chemical Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Texas A & M University, College Station (261 graduates), North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (243 graduates), and Ohio State University, Main Campus (217 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Chemical Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 7,743 in 2010 to a peak of 13,309 in 2020, before declining slightly to 10,624 in 2023-24. This represents a 37% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Chemical Engineering degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Chemical Engineers, and Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 270,580 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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