Best colleges for Chemistry in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Iowa, Iowa State University and Grinnell College award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in Iowa: 73, 62 and 12 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 23 Iowa colleges offer Chemistry and award 208 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…
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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,847 | 73 | 75% | — | $25,956 |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,870 | 62 | 75% | — | $23,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Chemistry degrees in Iowa
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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 73 | $44,847 |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 62 | $43,870 |
| 3 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 4 | Luther College Decorah Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 5 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Dubuque Dubuque Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 7 | Saint Ambrose University Davenport Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 8 | Central College Pella Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 9 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 10 | Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 13 Iowa colleges offering Chemistry
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke University | Dubuque | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Cornell College | Mount Vernon | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Loras College | Dubuque | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls | Public | 2 |
| Wartburg College | Waverly | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City | Public | 2 |
| Briar Cliff University | Sioux City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny | Public | 1 |
| Graceland University - Lamoni | Lamoni | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs | Public | 1 |
| Northwestern College | Orange City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Chemists (SOC 19-2031).
Top skills
What Chemists earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Chemistry degrees?+
University of Iowa (73 graduates a year), Iowa State University (62 graduates a year) and Grinnell College (12 graduates a year) award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 23 Iowa colleges offer Chemistry.
Which Chemistry program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Iowa tops the list at $44,847. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Chemists earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Chemists in Iowa is $94,080 (median $86,100), across about 570 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.
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