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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

32 Colleges in the United States
1,993 Chemical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$72,634 Avg Early-Career Salary

Chemical Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best chemical engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Chemical Engineering in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the chemical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Chemical Engineering

1

North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in chemical engineering. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 243 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $98,008 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $22,244 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

2
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in chemical engineering, ranking #2. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 158 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $87,164 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,050 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of Florida

3

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 191 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $85,847 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top schools for chemical engineering. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 63 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $85,772 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,733. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of Virginia Main Campus

5
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 97 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $82,217 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,104 to complete this degree. See the full chemical engineering program report for Auburn University

6
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #6 for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 38 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $75,639 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. See the full chemical engineering program report for Vanderbilt University

7
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Clemson University awarded about 75 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $75,951 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemical engineering program at Clemson University

8

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #8 among the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 89 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $82,382. Typical student debt for the program is $25,350. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

9

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #9 among the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 79 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $74,786 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full chemical engineering program report for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

10
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University earned the #10 position for chemical engineering this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Mississippi State University awarded about 52 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $78,183 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,298. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Mississippi State University

11

The University Of Alabama earned the #11 position for chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. About 140 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $69,809 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,003. Get the full chemical engineering details for The University Of Alabama

12

The University Of Tennessee ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 93 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $76,302 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete this degree. See the full chemical engineering program report for The University Of Tennessee

13

University Of Louisville ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Louisville awarded about 40 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $70,675 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of Louisville

14
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #14 spot for chemical engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 51 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Florida State University earn around $70,797 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Florida State University

15

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #15 spot for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 57 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $75,680 early in their careers. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of South Carolina Columbia

16
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas landed the #16 spot for chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of Arkansas awarded about 36 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $75,102. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Read more about the chemical engineering program at University Of Arkansas

17

Tennessee Technological University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $60,300 in their early career. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for Tennessee Technological University

18

Louisiana Tech University landed the #18 spot for chemical engineering this year. This large public university is located in the town of Ruston. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 18 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Louisiana Tech University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $79,157 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,342 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Louisiana Tech University

19

Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #19 spot for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 29 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077. Get the full chemical engineering details for Tulane University Of Louisiana

20

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #20 spot for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $70,659. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

21

West Virginia University landed the #21 spot for chemical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $69,875. Typical student debt for the program is $22,843. Read more about the chemical engineering program at West Virginia University

22

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #22 position for chemical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. About 63% of students finish within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 39 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $79,721 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full chemical engineering details for Virginia Commonwealth University

23

University Of Kentucky landed the #23 spot for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 63 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $65,389 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemical engineering program at University Of Kentucky

24

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #24 for chemical engineering this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $76,685 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. See the full chemical engineering program report for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

25

University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #25 position for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisiana Lafayette in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn around $63,886 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the chemical engineering program at University Of Louisiana Lafayette

Rest of the Top 31 Chemical Engineering Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemical engineering ranking:

26
Mcneese State University crest
Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA
27
28
29
30
31

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 40 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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