Illinois · Chemistry

Best institutions to study Chemistry in Illinois

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
39
offering CIP 40.05
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
756
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median grad earnings
$43,061
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$19,899
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Chemists
$98,420
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign
Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree
$47,03416385%$21,500
2Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville Public · Bachelor's degree
$46,6594557%$25,000
3Northern Illinois University
Dekalb Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,0613349%$23,023
4Western Illinois University
Macomb Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,9803445%$27,000

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 Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
3,040
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$98,420
median $85,230
Best-paying metro
$116,760
Peoria, IL

Related careers

Computer Occupations, All Other
$104,530 avg · 11,160 jobs
Data Scientists
$117,870 avg · 10,520 jobs
Chemists
$98,420 avg · 3,040 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$92,260 avg · 1,550 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in Illinois.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign tops the list at $47,034. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Chemists earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Chemists in Illinois is $98,420 (median $85,230), across about 3,040 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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