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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

12 Colleges in the United States
763 Chemical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$73,075 Avg Early-Career Salary

Chemical Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 14 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 The Plains States 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

No school ranked higher than Washington University In St Louis this year for chemical engineering. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 58 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $69,801 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from Washington University In St Louis

2

A rank of #2 makes Iowa State University one of the top schools for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $76,184. Students borrow a median of $20,188 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemical engineering program at Iowa State University

3

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in chemical engineering, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 145 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $73,245. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $25,495 in student loans. Read more about the chemical engineering program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

4

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. About 64% of students finish within six years. Missouri University Of Science And Technology awarded about 108 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $78,369. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. See the full chemical engineering program report for Missouri University Of Science And Technology

5
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

A rank of #5 makes University Of Kansas one of the top schools for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 72 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $63,870 in their early career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of Kansas

6

Kansas State University came in at #6 for chemical engineering this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 44 chemical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Chemical Engineering graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $77,492 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemical engineering program at Kansas State University

7
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #7 spot for chemical engineering this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $75,340 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of Iowa

8

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 27 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $79,603 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,816 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

9

University Of North Dakota earned the #9 position for chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $73,112 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,950. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from University Of North Dakota

10

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best chemical engineering schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemical engineering program make about $69,950 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,825. Get the full chemical engineering details for University Of Missouri Columbia

11

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earned the #11 position for chemical engineering this year. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 36 chemical engineering degrees were awarded at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology generally make around $72,785. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000. More information about a degree in chemical engineering from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

12

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #12 position for chemical engineering this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 51 chemical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $67,152. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $26,915 in student loans. Read more about the chemical engineering program at University Of Minnesota Duluth

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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