Best institutions to study Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems at the interface of chemical engineering and biology, with an emphasis at the molecular level, such as biopharmaceutical processes, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, gene therapy, biomaterials, cell and tissue engineering, and drug delivery.
16 U.S. institutions graduated 323 Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.0702, a specialization of Chemical Engineering (CIP 14.07), and leads most directly to the Chemical Engineers occupation (BLS SOC 17-2041).
About Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems at the interface of chemical engineering and biology, with an emphasis at the molecular level, such as biopharmaceutical processes, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, gene therapy, biomaterials, cell and tissue engineering, and drug delivery. Includes instruction in chemical engineering, thermodynamics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, momentum and heat transfer, cellular and molecular biotechnology, process design, and chemical reactor design.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering program prepares students to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and evaluation of systems at the intersection of chemical engineering and biology. This program emphasizes molecular-level processes relevant to biopharmaceuticals, protein engineering, and drug delivery, making it ideal for those interested in innovative solutions in healthcare and biotechnology.
Students in this program gain foundational knowledge in chemical engineering, thermodynamics, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Coursework also covers cellular and molecular biotechnology, process design, and chemical reactor design, equipping graduates with essential skills in science, mathematics, and critical thinking.
Credentials awarded
What Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree128 graduates / yr · 6 institutions40%
- Master's degree123 graduates / yr · 8 institutions38%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship66 graduates / yr · 7 institutions20%
- Associate's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 63 |
| 2013 | 194 |
| 2014 | 183 |
| 2015 | 187 |
| 2016 | 210 |
| 2017 | 202 |
| 2018 | 226 |
| 2019 | 238 |
| 2020 | 286 |
| 2021 | 224 |
| 2022 | 259 |
| 2023 | 271 |
| 2024 | 288 |
| 2025 | 323 |
Top 16 institutions for Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 136 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 64 | 97% | $22,055 | $81,721 |
| 3 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 40 | 76% | — | $72,868 |
| 4 | Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 67% | $20,167 | $55,333 |
| 5 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 6 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 96% | $11,666 | $80,139 |
| 7 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
| 8 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicMaster's | 8 | 80% | — | $77,542 |
| 9 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicDoctoral | 5 | 63% | — | $79,721 |
| 10 | Holmes Community College Goodman, MSPublicAssociate's | 4 | 39% | — | — |
| 11 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 88% | $26,912 | $82,435 |
| 12 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 91% | $18,925 | $81,880 |
| 13 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 67% | — | $62,468 |
| 14 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicDoctoral | 2 | 67% | — | $79,603 |
| 15 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 85% | — | $67,624 |
| 16 | University of South Alabama Mobile, ALPublicDoctoral | 1 | 53% | — | $71,116 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Chemical Engineering field (CIP 14.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 13 states
Where Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Chemical Engineering programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 1 | 136 | University of Chicago136 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 78 | University of Pennsylvania64 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 40 | Stony Brook University40 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 22 | Milwaukee School of Engineering22 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 13 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology10 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 10 | Tulane University of Louisiana10 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 8 | Miami University - Oxford8 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 5 | Virginia Commonwealth University5 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 4 | Holmes Community College4 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 2 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins2 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 2 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln2 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 2 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus2 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 1 | University of South Alabama1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2041, Chemical Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering program can pursue careers as Chemical Engineers, Bioengineers, and Biomedical Engineers, among others. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.6% and approximately 1,100 annual openings. The median wage for chemical engineers is $121,860, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.0702
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemical Engineersprimary SOC 17-2041 | $125,040 | +2.6% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineers, All Other SOC 17-2199 | $122,930 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~9,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers SOC 17-2031 | $109,370 | +5.2% Faster than average | ~1,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- Design and plan layout of equipment.
- Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
Tools and technology used
Other Chemical Engineering specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Chemical Engineering (CIP 14.07).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Chemical Engineer, Bioengineer, or in various engineering management roles.
What is the job outlook for chemical engineers?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a median wage of $121,860.
What is the CIP code for Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering?+
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is CIP 14.0702 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Chemical Engineering (CIP 14.07). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems at the interface of chemical engineering and biology, with an emphasis at the molecular level, such as biopharmaceutical processes, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, gene therapy, biomaterials, cell and tissue engineering, and drug delivery. Includes instruction in chemical engineering, thermodynamics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, momentum and heat transfer, cellular and molecular biotechnology, process design, and chemical reactor design.
How many institutions offer Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering programs?+
16 U.S. institutions reported Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states, awarding 323 credentials in the year. That is 3.1% of all Chemical Engineering graduates.
How much do Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Chemical Engineers occupation, which Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $125,040 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Chemical Engineering field report median earnings of $79,603 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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