Best institutions to study Chemistry
Any instructional program in chemistry not listed above.
58 U.S. institutions graduated 551 Chemistry students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0599, a specialization of Chemistry (CIP 40.05), and leads most directly to the Chemists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2031).
About Chemistry programs
Any instructional program in chemistry not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Chemistry program, classified under Physical Sciences, encompasses a broad range of instructional content in chemistry not specifically categorized elsewhere. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the fundamental principles of chemistry and their applications in various fields, preparing them for diverse career paths in science and technology. Students in this program will engage in rigorous coursework that emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory skills. With a focus on problem-solving and critical thinking, the program equips graduates with the tools necessary to innovate and contribute to advancements in chemistry and related disciplines.
Core skills developed in the Chemistry program include science literacy, critical thinking, and proficiency in mathematics. Coursework typically covers topics such as organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical methods, and quality control processes, providing students with a solid foundation for their future careers.
Credentials awarded
What Chemistry graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree451 graduates / yr · 42 institutions82%
- Master's degree46 graduates / yr · 7 institutions8.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship39 graduates / yr · 8 institutions7.1%
- Associate's degree6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Chemistry completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 584 |
| 2013 | 660 |
| 2014 | 742 |
| 2015 | 647 |
| 2016 | 529 |
| 2017 | 555 |
| 2018 | 576 |
| 2019 | 608 |
| 2020 | 628 |
| 2021 | 686 |
| 2022 | 627 |
| 2023 | 581 |
| 2024 | 516 |
| 2025 | 551 |
Top 50 institutions for Chemistry, 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 California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 82 | 86% | — | $45,310 |
| 2 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 33 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 3 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicBachelor's | 26 | 58% | — | $35,813 |
| 4 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster's | 23 | 93% | — | $42,358 |
| 5 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 6 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 70% | $22,641 | $25,151 |
| 7 | University of Puerto Rico - Humacao Humacao, PRPublicBachelor's | 21 | 47% | — | $22,743 |
| 8 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 20 | 86% | — | $42,204 |
| 9 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor's | 19 | 21% | — | — |
| 10 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 11 | Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MIPublicBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 51% | — | — |
| 12 | College of Charleston Charleston, SCPublicBachelor's | 16 | 66% | — | $39,208 |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WIPublicBachelor's | 15 | 64% | — | $50,659 |
| 14 | Western Illinois University Macomb, ILPublicBachelor's | 13 | 45% | — | $31,980 |
| 15 | University of California - Merced Merced, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 13 | 69% | — | $50,944 |
| 16 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 11 | 83% | — | $47,197 |
| 17 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, COPublicDoctoral | 11 | 82% | — | — |
| 18 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 19 | Ripon College Ripon, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 63% | $19,267 | — |
| 20 | Beloit College Beloit, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 71% | $21,381 | — |
| 21 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 22 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 9 | 75% | — | $35,284 |
| 23 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 35% | $10,334 | — |
| 24 | Kansas Wesleyan University Salina, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 49% | $23,014 | — |
| 25 | University of Evansville Evansville, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 64% | $19,593 | — |
| 26 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 27 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor's | 6 | 47% | — | — |
| 28 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 29 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 32% | — | $34,417 |
| 30 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 5 | 86% | — | $40,629 |
| 31 | McNeese State University Lake Charles, LAPublicMaster's | 5 | 47% | — | — |
| 32 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicBachelor's | 5 | 76% | — | $31,685 |
| 33 | Eastern Oregon University La Grande, ORPublicBachelor's | 5 | 43% | — | — |
| 34 | Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 55% | $32,031 | — |
| 35 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 95% | $19,452 | — |
| 36 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicDoctoral | 4 | 51% | — | — |
| 37 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicDoctoral | 4 | 64% | — | $43,840 |
| 38 | West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon, WVPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 57% | $17,325 | — |
| 39 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicDoctoral | 4 | 49% | — | $16,465 |
| 40 | Delaware State University Dover, DEPublicBachelor's | 3 | 39% | — | — |
| 41 | Vincennes University Vincennes, INPublicAssociate's | 3 | 39% | — | — |
| 42 | Grinnell College Grinnell, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 88% | $14,470 | — |
| 43 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LAPublicMaster's | 3 | 53% | — | $42,715 |
| 44 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Mercedita, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 41% | $9,980 | — |
| 45 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicDoctoral | 2 | 51% | — | $45,406 |
| 46 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MIPublicBachelor's | 2 | 48% | — | — |
| 47 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 43% | — | — |
| 48 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 64% | $33,585 | — |
| 49 | Union Commonwealth University Barbourville, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 32% | $28,386 | — |
| 50 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 89% | $21,956 | $39,157 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Chemistry field (CIP 40.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 28 states & territories
Where Chemistry graduates come from. Each state links to all Chemistry programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2031, Chemists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Chemistry program can pursue careers as chemists, natural sciences managers, or postsecondary chemistry teachers. The job outlook for chemists is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 6,300 annual openings. The median wage for chemists is $84,150, with a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0599
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemistsprimary SOC 19-2031 | $91,240 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~6,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1052 | $93,250 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~1,900 | Doctoral or professional 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 Chemistry 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, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
- Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
- Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
- Conduct quality control tests.
- Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
- Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
Tools and technology used
Other Chemistry specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Chemistry (CIP 40.05).
- ChemistryCIP 40.050118,075 graduates / yr1,168 institutions
- Forensic ChemistryCIP 40.0510353 graduates / yr30 institutions
- Polymer ChemistryCIP 40.0507partial data72 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Chemical PhysicsCIP 40.050842 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Analytical ChemistryCIP 40.0502partial data38 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Environmental ChemistryCIP 40.050919 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Organic ChemistryCIP 40.0504limited data9 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Physical ChemistryCIP 40.0506partial data9 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Theoretical ChemistryCIP 40.0511partial data9 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Inorganic ChemistryCIP 40.0503limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Cheminformatics/
Chemistry Informatics40.0512
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's, or Associate's degree in Chemistry.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Chemistry?+
You can work as a chemist, natural sciences manager, or chemistry teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for chemistry graduates?+
The job outlook for chemists is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9%.
What is the CIP code for Chemistry?+
Chemistry is CIP 40.0599 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Chemistry (CIP 40.05). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in chemistry not listed above.
How many institutions offer Chemistry programs?+
58 U.S. institutions reported Chemistry graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 28 states & territories, awarding 551 credentials in the year. That is 2.9% of all Chemistry graduates.
How much do Chemistry graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Chemists occupation, which Chemistry most directly leads to, pays a median of $91,240 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Chemistry field report median earnings of $41,589 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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