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Chemistry: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Chemistry is a foundational scientific discipline dedicated to understanding the composition, structure, properties, and transformations of matter. This program equips students with a rigorous, inquiry-driven approach to exploring the physical world at both microscopic and macroscopic levels, preparing them for advanced study or careers in science, industry, and technology.

  • Atomic and Molecular Structure: Investigates the arrangement of atoms and electrons within molecules, including bonding patterns, molecular geometry, and electronic configurations that govern chemical behavior.
  • Thermodynamics and Kinetics: Examines the energy changes associated with chemical reactions and the rates at which they occur, offering insight into reaction feasibility and efficiency.
  • Quantum Chemistry: Applies principles of quantum mechanics to model electron behavior in atoms and molecules, providing a theoretical basis for chemical phenomena.
  • Analytical Chemistry: Focuses on techniques for identifying and quantifying substances, including spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemical methods.
  • Organic Chemistry: Studies carbon-based compounds, their synthesis, reactions, and structural relationships, with applications in pharmaceuticals, materials, and biochemistry.
  • Inorganic Chemistry: Explores the properties and reactions of non-carbon-based compounds, including metals, minerals, and coordination complexes.
  • Physical Chemistry: Bridges physics and chemistry to understand the physical principles underlying chemical systems, such as phase equilibria and reaction mechanisms.
  • Chemical Laboratory Practice: Develops hands-on skills in experimental design, instrumentation, data analysis, and safe laboratory procedures essential for real-world scientific investigation.

Chemistry Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

18,323
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
1,175
Universities & Colleges
7
Career Pathways

Chemistry Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Chemistry degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary and Chemists. 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 1,366,340 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 $161,180 $79,830 - $239,200 100,870 $77.49
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1052 $86,220 $52,870 - $171,600 20,390 N/A
Chemists 19-2031 $84,150 $53,210 - $154,430 83,250 $40.46
Forensic Science Technicians 19-4092 $67,440 $45,560 - $110,710 19,450 $32.42
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 $64,580 $47,330 - $104,670 1,072,540 N/A
Chemical Technicians 19-4031 $57,790 $39,030 - $90,990 55,640 $27.78
Food Science Technicians 19-4013 $49,430 $37,760 - $75,100 14,200 $23.76

Salary Comparison

Chemistry Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $63,721 in Florida to $109,006 in District of Columbia—a 71% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,366,340 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 Chemistry by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 100 institutions offering Chemistry 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 Chemistry is found at University of Florida (UF) (218 graduates), University of California (UCB), Berkeley (209 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (191 graduates), University of California (UCI), Irvine (183 graduates), and University of Virginia (UVA), Main Campus (180 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 8,678 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 Admissions Location Control Website
University of Florida (UF)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
218 SAT: 1300-1480
ACT: 28-33
Gainesville, Florida Public ufl.edu
University of California (UCB)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
209 N/A Berkeley, California Public berkeley.edu
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
191 SAT: 1360-1510
ACT: 28-32
Madison, Wisconsin Public wisc.edu
University of California (UCI)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
183 N/A Irvine, California Public uci.edu
University of Virginia (UVA)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
180 SAT: 1410-1530
ACT: 32-34
Charlottesville, Virginia Public virginia.edu
Purdue University (PU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
169 SAT: 1190-1460
ACT: 27-34
West Lafayette, Indiana Public purdue.edu
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
168 SAT: 1270-1510
ACT: 29-34
Champaign, Illinois Public illinois.edu
University of California (UCSD)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
164 N/A La Jolla, California Public ucsd.edu
Emory University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
157 SAT: 1460-1550
ACT: 32-34
Atlanta, Georgia Private emory.edu
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
151 SAT: 1370-1530
ACT: 30-34
Chapel Hill, North Carolina Public unc.edu
University of California (UCLA)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
148 N/A Los Angeles, California Public ucla.edu
University of Chicago (UChicago)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
143 SAT: 1510-1570
ACT: 34-35
Chicago, Illinois Private uchicago.edu
University of Washington (UW)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
140 N/A Seattle, Washington Public washington.edu
The University of Texas
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
136 SAT: 1230-1490
ACT: 27-33
Austin, Texas Public utexas.edu
University of Michigan (U‑M)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
135 SAT: 1350-1530
ACT: 31-34
Ann Arbor, Michigan Public umich.edu
Ohio University (OHIO)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
132 SAT: 1100-1290
ACT: 22-28
Athens, Ohio Public ohio.edu
Texas A & M University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
131 SAT: 1140-1380
ACT: 25-31
College Station, Texas Public tamu.edu
University of Minnesota (UMN)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
126 SAT: 1310-1480
ACT: 27-31
Minneapolis, Minnesota Public twin-cities.umn.edu
Stony Brook University (SBU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
124 SAT: 1320-1490
ACT: 28-33
Stony Brook, New York Public stonybrook.edu
Cornell University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
123 SAT: 1480-1560
ACT: 33-35
Ithaca, New York Private cornell.edu
Florida International University (FIU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
116 SAT: 1060-1250
ACT: 20-26
Miami, Florida Public fiu.edu
New York University (NYU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
116 SAT: 1480-1570
ACT: 33-35
New York, New York Private nyu.edu
University of Pennsylvania (Penn)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
116 SAT: 1500-1570
ACT: 34-35
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Private upenn.edu
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
116 SAT: 1030-1270
ACT: 22-30
Richmond, Virginia Public vcu.edu
University of South Florida (USF)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
110 SAT: 1140-1330
ACT: 24-29
Tampa, Florida Public usf.edu
Ohio State University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
103 SAT: 1330-1480
ACT: 29-32
Columbus, Ohio Public osu.edu
University of California (UCSB)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
101 N/A Santa Barbara, California Public ucsb.edu
Princeton University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
100 SAT: 1500-1580
ACT: 34-35
Princeton, New Jersey Private princeton.edu
Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
96 SAT: 1220-1400
ACT: 27-32
University Park, Pennsylvania Public psu.edu
University of California (UCR)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
92 N/A Riverside, California Public ucr.edu
University of California (UCD)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
91 N/A Davis, California Public ucdavis.edu
University of Pittsburgh
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
89 SAT: 1270-1450
ACT: 29-33
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Public pitt.edu
Florida State University (FSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
87 SAT: 1240-1390
ACT: 27-31
Tallahassee, Florida Public fsu.edu
CUNY Hunter College
Bachelor's
87 SAT: 1210-1470 New York, New York Public hunter.cuny.edu
Harvard University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
85 SAT: 1500-1580
ACT: 34-36
Cambridge, Massachusetts Private harvard.edu
Indiana University (IUB)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
84 SAT: 1170-1400
ACT: 27-32
Bloomington, Indiana Public indiana.edu
North Carolina State University (NC State)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
84 SAT: 1300-1460
ACT: 28-32
Raleigh, North Carolina Public ncsu.edu
California State Polytechnic University (CPP)
Bachelor's
Master's
83 N/A Pomona, California Public cpp.edu
Irvine Valley College (IVC)
Associate's
83 N/A Irvine, California Public ivc.edu
Georgia State University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
83 SAT: 1040-1280
ACT: 19-26
Atlanta, Georgia Public gsu.edu
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
81 SAT: 1510-1580
ACT: 34-36
Cambridge, Massachusetts Private web.mit.edu
The University of Alabama (UA)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
80 SAT: 1170-1400
ACT: 24-31
Tuscaloosa, Alabama Public ua.edu
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
78 SAT: 1240-1420
ACT: 27-32
Blacksburg, Virginia Public vt.edu
Yale University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
73 SAT: 1500-1580
ACT: 33-35
New Haven, Connecticut Private yale.edu
University of Iowa
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
73 SAT: 1130-1320
ACT: 22-28
Iowa City, Iowa Public uiowa.edu
Northwestern University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
72 SAT: 1490-1560
ACT: 33-35
Evanston, Illinois Private northwestern.edu
University of Cincinnati (UC)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
72 SAT: 1150-1360
ACT: 24-29
Cincinnati, Ohio Public uc.edu
Oregon State University (OSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
71 N/A Corvallis, Oregon Public oregonstate.edu
Johns Hopkins University (JHU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
70 SAT: 1530-1580
ACT: 34-35
Baltimore, Maryland Private jhu.edu
Boston University (BU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
70 SAT: 1400-1520
ACT: 32-34
Boston, Massachusetts Private bu.edu
Michigan State University (MSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
70 SAT: 1150-1350
ACT: 26-31
East Lansing, Michigan Public msu.edu
University of Oregon (UO)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
70 SAT: 1130-1360
ACT: 22-30
Eugene, Oregon Public uoregon.edu
Binghamton University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
69 SAT: 1320-1490
ACT: 29-34
Vestal, New York Public binghamton.edu
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
68 SAT: 1120-1340
ACT: 25-32
Chicago, Illinois Public uic.edu
University of Missouri (UMKC)
Bachelor's
Master's
68 SAT: 1150-1540
ACT: 21-29
Kansas City, Missouri Public umkc.edu
University of Connecticut (UConn)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
67 SAT: 1210-1420
ACT: 29-33
Storrs, Connecticut Public uconn.edu
University of Oklahoma (OU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
67 SAT: 1140-1330
ACT: 23-29
Norman, Oklahoma Public ou.edu
University of Utah (U of U)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
67 SAT: 1180-1398
ACT: 22-29
Salt Lake City, Utah Public utah.edu
University of Central Florida (UCF)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
66 SAT: 1190-1350
ACT: 25-29
Orlando, Florida Public ucf.edu
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
65 SAT: 1330-1530
ACT: 28-34
Atlanta, Georgia Public gatech.edu
University of Georgia (UGA)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
63 SAT: 1160-1390
ACT: 25-32
Athens, Georgia Public uga.edu
Rice University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
63 SAT: 1500-1570
ACT: 34-36
Houston, Texas Private rice.edu
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
62 N/A San Diego, California Public sdsu.edu
University of South Carolina (USC)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
61 SAT: 1180-1380
ACT: 26-32
Columbia, South Carolina Public sc.edu
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
60 SAT: 1150-1330
ACT: 24-29
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Public lsu.edu
University of Massachusetts
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
59 SAT: 1300-1480
ACT: 29-33
Amherst, Massachusetts Public umass.edu
Rutgers University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
59 SAT: 1270-1480
ACT: 28-33
New Brunswick, New Jersey Public newbrunswick.rutgers.edu
Appalachian State University (App State)
Bachelor's
59 SAT: 1100-1280
ACT: 21-27
Boone, North Carolina Public appstate.edu
The University of Texas
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
59 SAT: 1170-1410
ACT: 25-32
Richardson, Texas Public utdallas.edu
University of Alabama (UAB)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
58 SAT: 1130-1400
ACT: 22-30
Birmingham, Alabama Public uab.edu
Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Bachelor's
Master's
58 N/A Flagstaff, Arizona Public nau.edu
University of North Texas (UNT)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
58 SAT: 980-1230
ACT: 19-27
Denton, Texas Public unt.edu
Northeastern University (NU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
57 SAT: 1460-1550
ACT: 33-35
Boston, Massachusetts Private northeastern.edu
University of Rochester
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
57 SAT: 1400-1540
ACT: 31-34
Rochester, New York Private rochester.edu
University at Buffalo (UB)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
57 SAT: 1210-1380
ACT: 27-32
Buffalo, New York Public buffalo.edu
Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
56 N/A Tempe, Arizona Public asu.edu
Diablo Valley College (DVC)
Other Award
56 N/A Pleasant Hill, California Public dvc.edu
Wayne State University (WSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
56 SAT: 1040-1260
ACT: 21-28
Detroit, Michigan Public wayne.edu
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)
Bachelor's
Master's
56 SAT: 910-1110
ACT: 16-22
Edinburg, Texas Public utrgv.edu
University of Arkansas (U of A)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
55 SAT: 1050-1220
ACT: 21-28
Fayetteville, Arkansas Public uark.edu
Colorado State University (CSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
55 N/A Fort Collins, Colorado Public colostate.edu
Columbia University in the City of New York
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
55 SAT: 1490-1570
ACT: 34-35
New York, New York Private columbia.edu
William & Mary (W&M)
Bachelor's
Master's
55 SAT: 1365-1510
ACT: 32-34
Williamsburg, Virginia Public wm.edu
Saddleback College
Associate's
54 N/A Mission Viejo, California Public saddleback.edu
University of Louisville (UofL)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
54 SAT: 1020-1250
ACT: 19-27
Louisville, Kentucky Public louisville.edu
University of Maryland (UMCP)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
54 SAT: 1370-1520
ACT: 32-35
College Park, Maryland Public umd.edu
Stanford University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
54 SAT: 1510-1580
ACT: 34-35
Stanford, California Private stanford.edu
University of California (UCSC)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
53 N/A Santa Cruz, California Public ucsc.edu
San Jose State University (SJSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
52 N/A San Jose, California Public sjsu.edu
University of Delaware (UD)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
52 SAT: 1200-1360
ACT: 27-31
Newark, Delaware Public udel.edu
University of Memphis (UofM)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
52 SAT: 905-1205
ACT: 17-24
Memphis, Tennessee Public memphis.edu
Vanderbilt University (VU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
52 SAT: 1510-1560
ACT: 34-35
Nashville, Tennessee Private vanderbilt.edu
Iowa State University (ISU)
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
51 SAT: 1110-1350
ACT: 21-28
Ames, Iowa Public iastate.edu
University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)
Bachelor's
Master's
51 SAT: 1220-1360
ACT: 24-28
Wilmington, North Carolina Public uncw.edu
Miami University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
51 SAT: 1210-1380
ACT: 26-31
Oxford, Ohio Public miamioh.edu
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
50 N/A Pasadena, California Private caltech.edu
Montana State University (MSU)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
50 SAT: 1060-1270
ACT: 20-27
Bozeman, Montana Public montana.edu
Western Washington University (WWU)
Bachelor's
Master's
50 SAT: 1110-1350
ACT: 23-29
Bellingham, Washington Public wwu.edu
Kennesaw State University (KSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
49 SAT: 1020-1220
ACT: 19-25
Kennesaw, Georgia Public kennesaw.edu
Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
48 SAT: 1040-1210
ACT: 20-26
Boca Raton, Florida Public fau.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Chemistry programs

How much can I earn with a Chemistry degree?

Salaries for Chemistry graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $86,220. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $109,006 compared to $63,721 in Florida. Approximately 1,366,340 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 Chemistry programs?

Currently 1,175 accredited institutions offer Chemistry degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Florida (UF) (218 graduates), University of California (UCB), Berkeley (209 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (191 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 Chemistry growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 17,575 in 2010 to a peak of 20,835 in 2020, before declining slightly to 18,323 in 2023-24. This represents a 4% 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 Chemistry degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary, and Chemists. Related occupations employ approximately 1,366,340 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.

Related Physical Sciences Programs

Explore similar degree programs within the Physical Sciences field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.

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