Pennsylvania · Polymer/Plastics Engineering

Best colleges for Polymer/Plastics Engineering in Pennsylvania

Ranked by graduate earnings

Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie-Behrend College, Lehigh University and Pennsylvania College of Technology award the most Polymer/Plastics Engineering degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 18, 10 and 8 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 Pennsylvania colleges offer Polymer/Plastics Engineering and award 36 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Polymer/Plastics Engineering program focuses on the design, analysis, and modification of polymer materials. It encompasses various aspects of the petrochemical industry, including polymerization, the structure and characterization of…

Institutions
3
offering CIP 14.32
States offered
8
with a program page
Degrees / yr
36
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$71,651
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$26,912
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Chemical Engineers
$127,520
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, 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
1Pennsylvania College of Technology
Williamsport Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$71,651853%—$27,875

Colleges awarding the most Polymer/Plastics Engineering degrees in Pennsylvania

Top 3 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)
1Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie-Behrend College
Erie Public
18Not reported
2Lehigh University
Bethlehem Private not-for-profit
10Not reported
3Pennsylvania College of Technology
Williamsport Public
8$71,651

Career outlook

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

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+5.7%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~1,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$108,310
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningScienceCritical ThinkingMathematicsSpeaking

What Chemical Engineers earn in Pennsylvania

Jobs in Pennsylvania
810
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$127,520
median $116,970
Best-paying metro
$139,050
Pittsburgh, PA

Related careers

Chemical Engineers
$127,520 avg · 810 jobs
Materials Engineers
$106,560 avg · 720 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Polymer/Plastics Engineering programs in Pennsylvania.

Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Polymer/Plastics Engineering degrees?+

Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie-Behrend College (18 graduates a year), Lehigh University (10 graduates a year) and Pennsylvania College of Technology (8 graduates a year) award the most Polymer/Plastics Engineering degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 Pennsylvania colleges offer Polymer/Plastics Engineering.

How much do Chemical Engineers earn in Pennsylvania?+

The average annual wage for Chemical Engineers in Pennsylvania is $127,520 (median $116,970), across about 810 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Polymer/Plastics Engineering program?+

The Polymer/Plastics Engineering program focuses on the design, analysis, and modification of polymer materials. It encompasses various aspects of the petrochemical industry, including polymerization, the structure and characterization of…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

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

What is the job outlook for Chemical Engineers?+

The national job outlook is about +5.7% growth with around 1,500 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).

Polymer/Plastics Engineering in other statesMassachusettsWisconsinWashingtonAlabamaMississippiOhioVirginia

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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