Missouri · Chemistry

Best colleges for Chemistry in Missouri

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University - Springfield and University of Missouri-Kansas City are the top bachelor's Chemistry programs in Missouri by graduate earnings. University of Missouri-Columbia leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,279, College Scorecard. University of Missouri-Kansas City, Washington University in St Louis and University of Missouri-Columbia award the most Chemistry degrees in Missouri: 80, 73 and 53 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 28 Missouri colleges offer Chemistry and award 392 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
28
offering CIP 40.05
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
392
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$39,725
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,939
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
57%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Chemists
$92,000
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 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 Missouri-Columbia
Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,2795375%—$20,500
2Missouri State University - Springfield
Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,1662258%—$23,750
3University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,7258055%—$24,821
4Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$39,4781454%—$24,884

Colleges awarding the most Chemistry degrees in Missouri

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 Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City Public
80$39,725
2Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis Private not-for-profit
73Not reported
3University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia Public
53$45,279
4Lindenwood University
Saint Charles Private not-for-profit
23Not reported
5Missouri State University - Springfield
Springfield Public
22$41,166
6Missouri University of Science and Technology
Rolla Public
21Not reported
7Saint Louis University
Saint Louis Private not-for-profit
18Not reported
8Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville Public
14$39,478
9University of Missouri-St Louis
Saint Louis Public
12Not reported
10Truman State University
Kirksville Public
9Not reported
Show the other 18 Missouri colleges offering Chemistry
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Drury UniversitySpringfieldPrivate not-for-profit7
Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape GirardeauPublic7
University of Central MissouriWarrensburgPublic6
Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplinPublic6
Missouri Western State UniversitySaint JosephPublic6
St Charles Community CollegeCottlevillePublic6
Rockhurst UniversityKansas CityPrivate not-for-profit5
Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint LouisPrivate not-for-profit4
Ozarks Technical Community CollegeSpringfieldPublic3
Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivarPrivate not-for-profit3
William Jewell CollegeLibertyPrivate not-for-profit3
Columbia CollegeColumbiaPrivate not-for-profit2
Missouri Baptist UniversitySaint LouisPrivate not-for-profit2
Park UniversityParkvillePrivate not-for-profit2
Webster UniversitySaint LouisPrivate not-for-profit2
Evangel UniversitySpringfieldPrivate not-for-profit1
College of the OzarksPoint LookoutPrivate not-for-profit1
Westminster CollegeFultonPrivate 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 Missouri

Jobs in Missouri
1,640
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$92,000
median $82,800
Best-paying metro
$98,920
St. Louis, MO-IL

Related careers

Computer Occupations, All Other
$104,720 avg · 14,340 jobs
Data Scientists
$100,880 avg · 4,730 jobs
Chemists
$92,000 avg · 1,640 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$66,360 avg · 1,380 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in Missouri.

Which Missouri colleges award the most Chemistry degrees?+

University of Missouri-Kansas City (80 graduates a year), Washington University in St Louis (73 graduates a year) and University of Missouri-Columbia (53 graduates a year) award the most Chemistry degrees in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 28 Missouri colleges offer Chemistry.

What is the best college for Chemistry in Missouri?+

By graduate earnings, University of Missouri-Columbia leads among bachelor's Chemistry programs in Missouri, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,279, College Scorecard. Missouri State University - Springfield and University of Missouri-Kansas City follow. By degrees awarded, University of Missouri-Kansas City is the largest, with 80 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Missouri-Columbia tops the list at $45,279. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Chemists earn in Missouri?+

The average annual wage for Chemists in Missouri is $92,000 (median $82,800), across about 1,640 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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