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

17 Colleges in the United States
1,199 Chemical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$73,217 Avg Early-Career Salary

Chemical Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for chemical engineering students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Chemical Engineering in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall chemical engineering education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Chemical Engineering

1

The University Of Texas At Austin tops our 2026 ranking of the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 174 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $87,365 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844. See the full chemical engineering program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 261 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $86,176 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,135 to complete this degree. Get the full chemical engineering details for Texas A And M University College Station

3
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 62 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $87,830 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,178 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemical engineering program at Rice University

4

Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 151 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Arizona State University earn around $78,813 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for Arizona State University

5

Students looking for a strong chemical engineering program will find one at University Of Houston, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 100 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $94,856 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. See the full chemical engineering program report for University Of Houston

6

University Of Arizona placed #6 among the best chemical engineering schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Arizona awarded about 70 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $73,479 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of Arizona

7

University Of Tulsa came in at #7 for chemical engineering this year. University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. About 72% of students finish within six years. University Of Tulsa awarded about 21 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from University Of Tulsa earn around $47,705 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemical engineering program at University Of Tulsa

8

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #8 for chemical engineering this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn around $82,466 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,875. Get the full chemical engineering details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

9

Texas Tech University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Tech University awarded about 84 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $77,586. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Texas Tech University

10
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University came in at #10 for chemical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Beaumont. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lamar University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from Lamar University earn around $87,284 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,019 to complete this degree. Get the full chemical engineering details for Lamar University

11

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #11 for chemical engineering this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 43 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $77,751. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

12

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. About 40% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin awarded about 12 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $60,503 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete this degree. See the full chemical engineering program report for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

13

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #13 for chemical engineering this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Las Cruces. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical engineering degree from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn around $75,766 in the first couple years of their career. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for New Mexico State University Main Campus

14

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 24 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $62,907 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,187. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of New Mexico Main Campus

15

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #15 for chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 30 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $49,955 in their early career. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Read more about the chemical engineering program at The University Of Texas At San Antonio

16

Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #16 spot for chemical engineering this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 27 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Kingsville in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $55,622 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Kingsville graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Read more about the chemical engineering program at Texas A And M University Kingsville

17

Prairie View A And M University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Prairie View A And M University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $58,627 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $33,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Prairie View A And M University

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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 · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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