Alabama · Chemistry

Best colleges for Chemistry in Alabama

Ranked by graduate earnings

The University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Auburn University award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in Alabama: 90, 47 and 34 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 Alabama colleges offer Chemistry and award 249 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Chemistry program focuses on the scientific study of matter, including its composition, structure, properties, and behavior. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the fundamental aspects of chemical reactions…

Institutions
18
offering CIP 40.05
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
249
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$33,931
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$16,735
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
50%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Chemists
$101,710
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,9314764%—$26,000
2University of North Alabama
Florence Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$49,4971055%—$24,830

Colleges awarding the most Chemistry degrees in Alabama

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa Public
90Not reported
2University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham Public
47$33,931
3Auburn University
Auburn Public
34Not reported
4University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville Public
16Not reported
5Auburn University at Montgomery
Montgomery Public
12Not reported
6University of North Alabama
Florence Public
10$49,497
7Alabama State University
Montgomery Public
7Not reported
8University of South Alabama
Mobile Public
7Not reported
9Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville Public
6Not reported
10Spring Hill College
Mobile Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
Show the other 8 Alabama colleges offering Chemistry
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Tuskegee UniversityTuskegeePrivate not-for-profit5
University of MontevalloMontevalloPublic3
Athens State University (Degree completion)AthensPublic1
University of West AlabamaLivingstonPublic1
Miles CollegeFairfieldPrivate not-for-profit1
Oakwood UniversityHuntsvillePrivate not-for-profit1
Talladega CollegeTalladegaPrivate not-for-profit1
Troy UniversityTroyPublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Chemists (SOC 19-2031).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.9%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~6,300
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$84,150
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

ScienceReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingWritingMathematics

What Chemists earn in Alabama

Jobs in Alabama
700
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$101,710
median $97,830
Best-paying metro
$114,740
Decatur, AL

Related careers

Computer Occupations, All Other
$106,400 avg · 2,630 jobs
Data Scientists
$105,180 avg · 1,740 jobs
Chemical Technicians
$61,020 avg · 1,190 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$74,510 avg · 870 jobs
Chemists
$101,710 avg · 700 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in Alabama.

Which Alabama colleges award the most Chemistry degrees?+

The University of Alabama (90 graduates a year), University of Alabama at Birmingham (47 graduates a year) and Auburn University (34 graduates a year) award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in Alabama, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 Alabama colleges offer Chemistry.

Which Chemistry program in Alabama has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Alabama at Birmingham tops the list at $33,931. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Chemists earn in Alabama?+

The average annual wage for Chemists in Alabama is $101,710 (median $97,830), across about 700 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Chemistry program?+

The Chemistry program focuses on the scientific study of matter, including its composition, structure, properties, and behavior. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the fundamental aspects of chemical reactions…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop science, reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Chemists?+

The national job outlook is about +4.9% growth with around 6,300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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