by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Engineering Chemistry explores Engineering Chemistry. A Program That Focuses On The General Application Of Chemical Principles To The Analysis And Evaluation Of Engineering Problems, Such As Development Of Electronic Materials, Solid-State Science And Technology, Polymers, Ceramics, And Biomaterials. Includes Instruction In Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Processes And Systems, Chemical Reaction Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Engineering Mathematics, Classical And Modern Physics, And Computer Science. Read on to learn the key facts every engineering chemistry major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering engineering chemistry programs.
In the U.S., engineering chemistry is a popular field of study, with 25 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Engineering Chemistry Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for engineering chemistry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of engineering chemistry programs later in this article.
Coursework for Engineering Chemistry emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations engineering chemistry graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a engineering chemistry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a engineering chemistry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several engineering chemistry degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 23 |
People currently working in careers related to engineering chemistry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.8% |
| Master’s degree | 11.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.0% |
| Some college courses | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 1.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in engineering chemistry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying engineering chemistry prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to engineering chemistry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to engineering chemistry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
| Chemical Engineers | 215,233 | 0.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of engineering chemistry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $83,672 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for engineering chemistry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers engineering chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Chemical Engineers | $130,903 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
With 2 different engineering chemistry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased engineering chemistry school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
