West Virginia · Chemistry

Best colleges for Chemistry in West Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

West Virginia University, Marshall University and Shepherd University award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in West Virginia: 46, 16 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 West Virginia colleges offer Chemistry and award 97 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…

Institutions
10
offering CIP 40.05
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
97
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$32,143
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$17,325
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
49%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Chemists
$92,500
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1West Virginia University
Morgantown Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,8914665%—$24,356
2Marshall University
Huntington Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$32,1431651%—$11,953

Colleges awarding the most Chemistry degrees in West Virginia

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1West Virginia University
Morgantown Public
46$36,891
2Marshall University
Huntington Public
16$32,143
3Shepherd University
Shepherdstown Public
13Not reported
4Concord University
Athens Public
6Not reported
5Fairmont State University
Fairmont Public
5Not reported
6West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
7Bethany College
Bethany Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
8Glenville State University
Glenville Public
2Not reported
9West Liberty University
West Liberty Public
2Not reported
10Davis & Elkins College
Elkins Private not-for-profit
1Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Chemists (SOC 19-2031).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.9%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~6,300
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$84,150
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

ScienceReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingWritingMathematics

What Chemists earn in West Virginia

Jobs in West Virginia
180
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$92,500
median $85,560
Best-paying metro
$89,880
Morgantown, WV

Related careers

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$53,320 avg · 750 jobs
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$84,920 avg · 250 jobs
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$61,190 avg · 230 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in West Virginia.

Which West Virginia colleges award the most Chemistry degrees?+

West Virginia University (46 graduates a year), Marshall University (16 graduates a year) and Shepherd University (13 graduates a year) award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in West Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 West Virginia colleges offer Chemistry.

Which Chemistry program in West Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, West Virginia University tops the list at $36,891. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Chemists earn in West Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Chemists in West Virginia is $92,500 (median $85,560), across about 180 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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