Chemistry: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Chemistry is the scientific discipline dedicated to understanding the composition, structure, properties, and transformations of matter. This program provides a comprehensive foundation in chemical principles, preparing students for advanced study, research, or professional careers in science, industry, and technology.
- Physical Chemistry: Explores the fundamental laws governing energy, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and the behavior of atoms and molecules in motion.
- Analytical Chemistry: Focuses on techniques and methods for identifying and quantifying chemical substances, including spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemical analysis.
- Organic Chemistry: Studies the structure, properties, reactions, and synthesis of carbon-containing compounds, essential to pharmaceuticals, materials, and biochemistry.
- Inorganic Chemistry: Investigates the behavior, properties, and reactions of non-carbon-based compounds, including metals, minerals, and coordination complexes.
- Biochemistry: Bridges chemistry and biology by examining the chemical processes within living organisms, including metabolism, enzyme function, and molecular genetics.
- Chemical Kinetics and Reaction Mechanisms: Analyzes the rates of chemical reactions and the step-by-step pathways by which reactants transform into products.
- Instrumental Analysis: Emphasizes the use of advanced laboratory equipment to probe molecular structure and composition with high precision and sensitivity.
Chemistry Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
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 204,510 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 |
Chemistry Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $73,910 in Vermont to $147,940 in Massachusetts—a 100% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, California, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 204,510 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 59 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 California (UCSD), San Diego (91 graduates), University of Chicago (UChicago) (31 graduates), University of California (UCD), Davis (27 graduates), Wayne State University (WSU) (24 graduates), and Washington University in St Louis (WashU) (21 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 540 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
91 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Master's
|
20 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Mercer University |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Lake Superior State University (LSSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
16 | Sault Ste Marie, Michigan | Public | lssu.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Beloit College (Beloit) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Beloit, Wisconsin | Private | beloit.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRH) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Humacao, Puerto Rico | Public | upr.edu |
| University of California |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Merced, California | Public | ucmerced.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Western Illinois University (WIU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Macomb, Illinois | Public | wiu.edu |
| Colorado School of Mines |
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| McNeese State University |
Master's
|
10 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Public | mcneese.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | bayamon.inter.edu |
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Kansas Wesleyan University (KWU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Salina, Kansas | Private | kwu.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | esu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Other Award
|
5 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| College of Charleston (CofC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | cofc.edu |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | West Palm Beach, Florida | Private | pba.edu |
| Wingate University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Wingate, North Carolina | Private | wingate.edu |
| Eastern Oregon University (EOU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | La Grande, Oregon | Public | eou.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Buckhannon, West Virginia | Private | wvwc.edu |
| Ripon College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Ripon, Wisconsin | Private | ripon.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
| University of Evansville (UE) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
| University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Master's
|
3 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Tufts University |
Master's
|
3 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| University of Scranton |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | scranton.edu |
| LeTourneau University (LETU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Longview, Texas | Private | letu.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| Delaware State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Dover, Delaware | Public | desu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Associate's
|
2 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | University Center, Michigan | Public | svsu.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| Stevens Institute of Technology |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Hoboken, New Jersey | Private | stevens.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAF) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Public | uaf.edu |
| Grinnell College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Grinnell, Iowa | Private | grinnell.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Carson-Newman University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jefferson City, Tennessee | Private | cn.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Emory & Henry University (E&H) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Emory, Virginia | Private | ehc.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 Massachusetts average $147,940 compared to $73,910 in Vermont. Approximately 204,510 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 59 accredited institutions offer Chemistry degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCSD), San Diego (91 graduates), University of Chicago (UChicago) (31 graduates), and University of California (UCD), Davis (27 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 521 in 2010 to a peak of 651 in 2020, before declining slightly to 540 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 204,510 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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