Best institutions to study Polymer Chemistry
A program that focuses on the scientific study of synthesized macromolecules and their interactions with other substances.
7 U.S. institutions graduated 72 Polymer Chemistry students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0507, a specialization of Chemistry (CIP 40.05), and leads most directly to the Chemists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2031).
About Polymer Chemistry programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of synthesized macromolecules and their interactions with other substances. Includes instruction in molecular bonding theory, polymerization, properties and behavior of unstable compounds, the development of tailored polymers, transition phenomena, and applications to specific industrial problems and technologies.
See also: 14.3201 - Polymer/Plastics Engineering.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Polymer Chemistry program focuses on the scientific study of synthesized macromolecules and their interactions with other substances. This program is designed for students interested in exploring molecular bonding theory, polymerization, and the development of tailored polymers, as well as their applications in various industrial contexts. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the properties and behaviors of polymers and unstable compounds.
Core coursework includes instruction in molecular bonding theory, polymerization processes, and transition phenomena. Students will develop essential skills in science, critical thinking, and analytical techniques, preparing them for advanced study or careers in the field of chemistry.
Credentials awarded
What Polymer Chemistry graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree38 graduates / yr · 6 institutions53%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship29 graduates / yr · 4 institutions40%
- Bachelor's degree5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.9%
Graduates over time
Polymer Chemistry completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 58 |
| 2013 | 67 |
| 2014 | 92 |
| 2015 | 84 |
| 2016 | 95 |
| 2017 | 99 |
| 2018 | 116 |
| 2019 | 102 |
| 2020 | 81 |
| 2021 | 101 |
| 2022 | 58 |
| 2023 | 85 |
| 2024 | 82 |
| 2025 | 72 |
Top 7 institutions for Polymer 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 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KSPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 20 | 57% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 18 | 52% | — | $44,970 |
| 3 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 14 | 93% | — | — |
| 4 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 64% | — | — |
| 5 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicMaster's | 5 | 86% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicDoctoral | 4 | 83% | — | $52,216 |
| 7 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
* 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 7 states
Where Polymer Chemistry graduates come from. Each state links to all Chemistry programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 1 | 20 | Pittsburg State University20 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 18 | University of Akron Main Campus18 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 14 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor14 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 9 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus9 / yr |
| California | 1 | 5 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo5 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 4 | University of Connecticut4 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 2 | George Washington University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2031, Chemists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Polymer Chemistry program can pursue careers as chemists, natural sciences managers, or postsecondary chemistry teachers. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 6,300 annual job openings. The median wage for chemists is $84,150, and a bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0507
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 Polymer 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
- 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 are offered in Polymer Chemistry?+
The program offers a Master's degree, Doctor's degree in research/scholarship, and a Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in science, critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication.
What types of careers can I pursue with this degree?+
Graduates can work as chemists, natural sciences managers, or chemistry teachers at the postsecondary level.
What is the job outlook for careers in Polymer Chemistry?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9% and 6,300 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Polymer Chemistry?+
Polymer Chemistry is CIP 40.0507 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 synthesized macromolecules and their interactions with other substances. Includes instruction in molecular bonding theory, polymerization, properties and behavior of unstable compounds, the development of tailored polymers, transition phenomena, and applications to specific industrial problems and technologies.
How many institutions offer Polymer Chemistry programs?+
7 U.S. institutions reported Polymer Chemistry graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 72 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Chemistry graduates.
How much do Polymer Chemistry graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Chemists occupation, which Polymer 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 $52,216 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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