Oregon · Chemistry

Best colleges for Chemistry in Oregon

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Portland State University award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in Oregon: 94, 67 and 20 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Oregon colleges offer Chemistry and award 248 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
14
offering CIP 40.05
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
248
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$35,395
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$27,621
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Chemists
$111,320
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
1Oregon State University
Corvallis Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,7796770%—$25,500
2Portland State University
Portland Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,3952053%—$24,773

Colleges awarding the most Chemistry degrees in Oregon

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)
1University of Oregon
Eugene Public
94Not reported
2Oregon State University
Corvallis Public
67$41,779
3Portland State University
Portland Public
20$35,395
4University of Portland
Portland Private not-for-profit
16Not reported
5Reed College
Portland Private not-for-profit
10Not reported
6Lewis & Clark College
Portland Private not-for-profit
9Not reported
7Willamette University
Salem Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
8Southern Oregon University
Ashland Public
6Not reported
9Western Oregon University
Monmouth Public
6Not reported
10Eastern Oregon University
La Grande Public
5Not reported
Show the other 4 Oregon colleges offering Chemistry
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Pacific UniversityForest GrovePrivate not-for-profit3
Linfield UniversityMcMinnvillePrivate not-for-profit2
George Fox UniversityNewbergPrivate not-for-profit1
Linn-Benton Community CollegeAlbanyPublic1

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 Oregon

Jobs in Oregon
730
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$111,320
median $104,590
Best-paying metro
$107,360
Eugene-Springfield, OR

Related careers

Computer Occupations, All Other
$105,290 avg · 2,450 jobs
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$131,300 avg · 2,140 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$97,100 avg · 1,370 jobs
Food Science Technicians
$51,980 avg · 820 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in Oregon.

Which Oregon colleges award the most Chemistry degrees?+

University of Oregon (94 graduates a year), Oregon State University (67 graduates a year) and Portland State University (20 graduates a year) award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in Oregon, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Oregon colleges offer Chemistry.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Oregon State University tops the list at $41,779. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Chemists earn in Oregon?+

The average annual wage for Chemists in Oregon is $111,320 (median $104,590), across about 730 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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