Louisiana · Chemistry

Best colleges for Chemistry in Louisiana

Ranked by graduate earnings

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Xavier University of Louisiana and University of New Orleans award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in Louisiana: 51, 37 and 26 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 Louisiana colleges offer Chemistry and award 217 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
16
offering CIP 40.05
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
217
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$42,572
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,906
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
52%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Chemists
$106,810
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 Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$42,7151753%——
2Louisiana Tech University
Ruston Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$42,5721664%—$27,000

Colleges awarding the most Chemistry degrees in Louisiana

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)
1Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge Public
51Not reported
2Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans Private not-for-profit
37Not reported
3University of New Orleans
New Orleans Public
26Not reported
4Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans Private not-for-profit
19Not reported
5University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette Public
17$42,715
6Louisiana Tech University
Ruston Public
16$42,572
7McNeese State University
Lake Charles Public
10Not reported
8Nicholls State University
Thibodaux Public
9Not reported
9Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
10Louisiana State University - Shreveport
Shreveport Public
6Not reported
Show the other 6 Louisiana colleges offering Chemistry
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammondPublic6
Grambling State UniversityGramblingPublic4
Louisiana State University at AlexandriaAlexandriaPublic4
University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroePublic2
Centenary College of LouisianaShreveportPrivate not-for-profit1
Dillard UniversityNew OrleansPrivate 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 Louisiana

Jobs in Louisiana
740
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$106,810
median $103,890
Best-paying metro
$126,650
Lake Charles, LA

Related careers

Computer Occupations, All Other
$90,380 avg · 5,020 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$82,010 avg · 1,600 jobs
Data Scientists
$88,480 avg · 1,300 jobs
Chemical Technicians
$85,720 avg · 960 jobs
Chemists
$106,810 avg · 740 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in Louisiana.

Which Louisiana colleges award the most Chemistry degrees?+

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (51 graduates a year), Xavier University of Louisiana (37 graduates a year) and University of New Orleans (26 graduates a year) award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in Louisiana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 Louisiana colleges offer Chemistry.

How much do Chemists earn in Louisiana?+

The average annual wage for Chemists in Louisiana is $106,810 (median $103,890), across about 740 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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