Kentucky · Chemistry

Best colleges for Chemistry in Kentucky

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University and University of Louisville award the most Chemistry degrees in Kentucky: 64, 45 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 19 Kentucky 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
19
offering CIP 40.05
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
249
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$41,842
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$18,902
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
54%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Chemists
$86,740
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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 Louisville
Louisville Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,8422561%—$24,411
2Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,5124550%—$23,584
3Murray State University
Murray Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$48,3341661%—$25,000

Colleges awarding the most Chemistry degrees in Kentucky

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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)
1University of Kentucky
Lexington Public
64Not reported
2Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond Public
45$34,512
3University of Louisville
Louisville Public
25$41,842
4Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public
17Not reported
5Murray State University
Murray Public
16$48,334
6Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public
16Not reported
7Centre College
Danville Private not-for-profit
14Not reported
8Bellarmine University
Louisville Private not-for-profit
11Not reported
9Berea College
Berea Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
10Transylvania University
Lexington Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
Show the other 9 Kentucky colleges offering Chemistry
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeOwensboroPrivate not-for-profit5
Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsvillePrivate not-for-profit4
Morehead State UniversityMoreheadPublic4
University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburgPrivate not-for-profit3
Georgetown CollegeGeorgetownPrivate not-for-profit3
Thomas More UniversityCrestview HillsPrivate not-for-profit3
Asbury UniversityWilmorePrivate not-for-profit1
Kentucky State UniversityFrankfortPublic1
Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourvillePrivate not-for-profit1

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 Kentucky

Jobs in Kentucky
530
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$86,740
median $84,090
Best-paying metro
$90,450
Bowling Green, KY

Related careers

Computer Occupations, All Other
$91,010 avg · 1,850 jobs
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$100,840 avg · 1,540 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$71,160 avg · 1,000 jobs
Chemical Technicians
$63,000 avg · 700 jobs
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
$53,230 avg · 560 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in Kentucky.

Which Kentucky colleges award the most Chemistry degrees?+

University of Kentucky (64 graduates a year), Eastern Kentucky University (45 graduates a year) and University of Louisville (25 graduates a year) award the most Chemistry degrees in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 19 Kentucky colleges offer Chemistry.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Louisville tops the list at $41,842. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Chemists earn in Kentucky?+

The average annual wage for Chemists in Kentucky is $86,740 (median $84,090), across about 530 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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