Michigan · Chemistry

Best colleges for Chemistry in Michigan

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Wayne State University and Michigan State University award the most Chemistry degrees in Michigan: 164, 102 and 67 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 32 Michigan colleges offer Chemistry and award 558 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
32
offering CIP 40.05
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
558
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$39,531
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
6
College Scorecard
Median net price
$19,806
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
57%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Chemists
$101,210
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
1Michigan State University
East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,5316781%—$28,481
2Wayne State University
Detroit Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,81310258%—$21,590
3Grand Valley State University
Allendale Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$46,4961367%—$25,000
4Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$45,0601846%—$22,300
5Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$39,9401776%$19,279$27,000
6Hope College
Holland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$21,1991880%$21,746$26,636

Colleges awarding the most Chemistry degrees in Michigan

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 Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Public
164Not reported
2Wayne State University
Detroit Public
102$35,813
3Michigan State University
East Lansing Public
67$39,531
4Michigan Technological University
Houghton Public
20Not reported
5Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti Public
18$45,060
6Hope College
Holland Private not-for-profit
18$21,199
7Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo Private not-for-profit
17$39,940
8Northern Michigan University
Marquette Public
17Not reported
9Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie Public
16Not reported
10Oakland University
Rochester Hills Public
16Not reported
Show the other 22 Michigan colleges offering Chemistry
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendalePublic13
University of Detroit MercyDetroitPrivate not-for-profit11
Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity CenterPublic10
Ferris State UniversityBig RapidsPublic8
Hillsdale CollegeHillsdalePrivate not-for-profit7
Albion CollegeAlbionPrivate not-for-profit6
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazooPublic6
Calvin UniversityGrand RapidsPrivate not-for-profit5
University of Michigan-DearbornDearbornPublic5
Alma CollegeAlmaPrivate not-for-profit4
Siena Heights UniversityAdrianPrivate not-for-profit4
Adrian CollegeAdrianPrivate not-for-profit3
Central Michigan UniversityMount PleasantPublic3
Henry Ford CollegeDearbornPublic3
Lawrence Technological UniversitySouthfieldPrivate not-for-profit3
Madonna UniversityLivoniaPrivate not-for-profit3
The University of OlivetOlivetPrivate not-for-profit3
Andrews UniversityBerrien SpringsPrivate not-for-profit2
Lake Michigan CollegeBenton HarborPublic1
Lansing Community CollegeLansingPublic1
University of Michigan-FlintFlintPublic1
Spring Arbor UniversitySpring ArborPrivate 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 Michigan

Jobs in Michigan
3,490
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$101,210
median $97,440
Best-paying metro
$139,910
Bay City, MI

Related careers

Computer Occupations, All Other
$107,430 avg · 7,440 jobs
Data Scientists
$105,890 avg · 7,360 jobs
Chemists
$101,210 avg · 3,490 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$81,800 avg · 3,100 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in Michigan.

Which Michigan colleges award the most Chemistry degrees?+

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (164 graduates a year), Wayne State University (102 graduates a year) and Michigan State University (67 graduates a year) award the most Chemistry degrees in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 32 Michigan colleges offer Chemistry.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Michigan State University tops the list at $39,531. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Chemists earn in Michigan?+

The average annual wage for Chemists in Michigan is $101,210 (median $97,440), across about 3,490 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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