Best colleges for Chemistry in Washington
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Western Washington University and Washington State University award the most Chemistry degrees in Washington: 118, 31 and 26 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Washington colleges offer Chemistry and award 257 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Chemistry program focuses on the scientific study of matter, including its composition, structure, properties, and behavior. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the fundamental aspects of chemical reactions…
Top 4 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,527 | 31 | 65% | — | $22,104 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,369 | 118 | 85% | — | $15,389 |
| 3 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $44,555 | 10 | 69% | $19,944 | $23,000 |
| 4 | Whitworth University Spokane Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,203 | 15 | 71% | $23,510 | $26,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Chemistry degrees in Washington
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public | 118 | $46,369 |
| 2 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public | 31 | $48,527 |
| 3 | Washington State University Pullman Public | 26 | Not reported |
| 4 | Central Washington University Ellensburg Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 5 | Whitworth University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 15 | $33,203 |
| 6 | Eastern Washington University Cheney Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 7 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 10 | $44,555 |
| 8 | Gonzaga University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Whitman College Walla Walla Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Washington colleges offering Chemistry
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Bothell | Public | 4 |
| Seattle University | Seattle | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Seattle Pacific University | Seattle | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Saint Martin's University | Lacey | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Walla Walla University | College Place | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Chemists (SOC 19-2031).
Top skills
What Chemists earn in Washington
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in Washington.
Which Washington colleges award the most Chemistry degrees?+
University of Washington-Seattle Campus (118 graduates a year), Western Washington University (31 graduates a year) and Washington State University (26 graduates a year) award the most Chemistry degrees in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Washington colleges offer Chemistry.
Which Chemistry program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Western Washington University tops the list at $48,527. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Chemists earn in Washington?+
The average annual wage for Chemists in Washington is $104,480 (median $97,420), across about 2,280 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Chemistry program?+
The Chemistry program focuses on the scientific study of matter, including its composition, structure, properties, and behavior. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the fundamental aspects of chemical reactions…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop science, reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Chemists?+
The national job outlook is about +4.9% growth with around 6,300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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.
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