Massachusetts · Chemical Engineering

Best colleges for Chemical Engineering in Massachusetts

Ranked by graduate earnings

Northeastern University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are the top bachelor's Chemical Engineering programs in Massachusetts by graduate earnings. Northeastern University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $81,880, College Scorecard. Northeastern University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Worcester Polytechnic Institute award the most Chemical Engineering degrees in Massachusetts: 116, 88 and 85 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Massachusetts colleges offer Chemical Engineering and award 453 degrees and certificates a year in all.

Chemical Engineering is a dynamic field of engineering focused on the design and operation of chemical plants and the optimization of production processes. This program is ideal for students interested in applying principles from…

Institutions
7
offering CIP 14.07
States offered
49
with a program page
Degrees / yr
453
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$77,380
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
6
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,570
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
77%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Chemical Engineers
$118,170
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 6 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
1Northeastern University
Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$81,88011691%$18,925$27,000
2Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$80,1398896%$11,666$15,209
3Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$78,7678590%$32,926$27,000
4University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell Public · Bachelor's degree
$77,3806465%—$27,000
5Tufts University
Medford Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$75,3673594%$23,570—
6University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst Public · Bachelor's degree
$72,5146383%—$27,000

Colleges awarding the most Chemical Engineering degrees in Massachusetts

Top 6 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)
1Northeastern University
Boston Private not-for-profit
116$81,880
2Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge Private not-for-profit
88$80,139
3Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester Private not-for-profit
85$78,767
4University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell Public
64$77,380
5University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst Public
63$72,514
6Tufts University
Medford Private not-for-profit
35$75,367
Show the other 1 Massachusetts colleges offering Chemical Engineering
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Middlesex Community CollegeBedfordPublic2

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Chemical Engineers (SOC 17-2041).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.6%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~1,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$121,860
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

ScienceCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive LearningMathematicsSpeaking

What Chemical Engineers earn in Massachusetts

Jobs in Massachusetts
1,460
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$118,170
median $118,000
Best-paying metro
$119,270
Springfield, MA

Related careers

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
$126,700 avg · 4,740 jobs
Chemical Engineers
$118,170 avg · 1,460 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Chemical Engineering programs in Massachusetts.

Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Chemical Engineering degrees?+

Northeastern University (116 graduates a year), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (88 graduates a year) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (85 graduates a year) award the most Chemical Engineering degrees in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Massachusetts colleges offer Chemical Engineering.

What is the best college for Chemical Engineering in Massachusetts?+

By graduate earnings, Northeastern University leads among bachelor's Chemical Engineering programs in Massachusetts, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $81,880, College Scorecard. Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Worcester Polytechnic Institute follow. By degrees awarded, Northeastern University is the largest, with 116 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Chemical Engineering program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Northeastern University tops the list at $81,880. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Chemical Engineers earn in Massachusetts?+

The average annual wage for Chemical Engineers in Massachusetts is $118,170 (median $118,000), across about 1,460 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Chemical Engineering program?+

Chemical Engineering is a dynamic field of engineering focused on the design and operation of chemical plants and the optimization of production processes. This program is ideal for students interested in applying principles from…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

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

What is the job outlook for Chemical Engineers?+

The national job outlook is about +2.6% growth with around 1,100 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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