Best institutions to study Inorganic Chemistry
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the elements and their compounds, other than the hydrocarbons and their derivatives.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 4 Inorganic Chemistry students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0503, a specialization of Chemistry (CIP 40.05), and leads most directly to the Chemists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2031).
About Inorganic Chemistry programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the elements and their compounds, other than the hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Includes instruction in the characterization and synthesis of non-carbon molecules, including their structure and their bonding, conductivity, and reactive properties; research techniques such as spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoelectron analysis; and the study of specific compounds, such as transition metals, and compounds composed of inorganic and organic molecules.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Inorganic Chemistry program focuses on the scientific study of elements and their compounds, excluding hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Students will explore the characterization and synthesis of non-carbon molecules, their structures, bonding, and reactive properties. This program is ideal for those interested in deepening their understanding of chemistry and pursuing advanced research in the field.
Core coursework includes instruction in research techniques such as spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, as well as the study of specific compounds like transition metals. Students will develop essential skills in science, critical thinking, and mathematics, preparing them for various applications in the field of chemistry.
Credentials awarded
What Inorganic Chemistry graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 1 institution100%
Graduates over time
Inorganic Chemistry completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 |
Top 1 institutions for Inorganic 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 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 75% | — | $43,870 |
* 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 1 states
Where Inorganic Chemistry graduates come from. Each state links to all Chemistry programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 1 | 4 | Iowa State University4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2031, Chemists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Inorganic Chemistry program can pursue careers as chemists, natural sciences managers, or chemical technicians. The job outlook for related occupations is about as fast as average, with an expected growth of 4.9% and approximately 6,300 annual openings. The median wage for chemists is $84,150, typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0503
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 |
Chemical Technicians SOC 19-4031 | $60,390 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~6,700 | Associate'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 Inorganic 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
- ChemistryCIP 40.0599551 graduates / yr58 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
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 is Inorganic Chemistry?+
Inorganic Chemistry is the study of elements and their compounds, focusing on non-carbon molecules.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, mathematics, and various research techniques.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
Graduates can work as chemists, natural sciences managers, or chemical technicians, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for chemists?+
The job outlook for chemists is expected to grow by 4.9%, with about 6,300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Inorganic Chemistry?+
Inorganic Chemistry is CIP 40.0503 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Chemistry (CIP 40.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the elements and their compounds, other than the hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Includes instruction in the characterization and synthesis of non-carbon molecules, including their structure and their bonding, conductivity, and reactive properties; research techniques such as spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoelectron analysis; and the study of specific compounds, such as transition metals, and compounds composed of inorganic and organic molecules.
How many institutions offer Inorganic Chemistry programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported Inorganic Chemistry graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 4 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Chemistry graduates.
How much do Inorganic Chemistry graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Chemists occupation, which Inorganic 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 $43,870 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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