Best institutions to study Organic Chemistry
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the properties and behavior of hydrocarbon compounds and their derivatives.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 9 Organic Chemistry students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0504, a specialization of Chemistry (CIP 40.05), and leads most directly to the Chemists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2031).
About Organic Chemistry programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the properties and behavior of hydrocarbon compounds and their derivatives. Includes instruction in molecular conversion and synthesis, molecular synthesis and design, the molecular structure of living cells and systems, the mutual reactivity of organic and inorganic compounds in combination, the spectroscopic analysis of hydrocarbon compounds, and applications to specific problems in research, industry, and health.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Organic Chemistry program focuses on the scientific study of hydrocarbon compounds and their derivatives. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring molecular synthesis, structure, and the reactivity of organic and inorganic compounds, providing a strong foundation for various scientific careers. Students will gain insights into the applications of organic chemistry in research, industry, and health.
Core coursework includes molecular conversion and synthesis, spectroscopic analysis, and the molecular structure of living systems. Students will develop essential skills in science, critical thinking, and analytical methods, preparing them for advanced study or careers in chemistry-related fields.
Credentials awarded
What Organic Chemistry graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions78%
- Master's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution22%
Graduates over time
Organic Chemistry completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 9 |
Top 2 institutions for Organic 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 | 5 | 75% | — | $43,870 |
| 2 | University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | — | — | — |
* 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 2 states
Where Organic Chemistry graduates come from. Each state links to all Chemistry programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 1 | 5 | Iowa State University5 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 4 | University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2031, Chemists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Organic 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 rate 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 40.0504
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 Organic 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
- 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 is the main focus of the Organic Chemistry program?+
The program focuses on the properties and behavior of hydrocarbon compounds and their derivatives.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
Students can earn a Master's degree or a Doctor's degree in research/scholarship.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and analytical methods.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as chemists, natural sciences managers, or chemical technicians, among other roles.
What is the CIP code for Organic Chemistry?+
Organic Chemistry is CIP 40.0504 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 properties and behavior of hydrocarbon compounds and their derivatives. Includes instruction in molecular conversion and synthesis, molecular synthesis and design, the molecular structure of living cells and systems, the mutual reactivity of organic and inorganic compounds in combination, the spectroscopic analysis of hydrocarbon compounds, and applications to specific problems in research, industry, and health.
How many institutions offer Organic Chemistry programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Organic Chemistry graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 9 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Chemistry graduates.
How much do Organic Chemistry graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Chemists occupation, which Organic 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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