2026 Best General Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for general chemistry. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 116 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. More information about a degree in general chemistry from University Of Chicago

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 70 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $90,302 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Read more about the general chemistry program at Northwestern University

3

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $60,443. Typical student debt for the program is $24,122. See the full general chemistry program report for Marquette University

4

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Students looking for a strong general chemistry program will find one at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #4. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan Technological University awarded about 19 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $64,652 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general chemistry from Michigan Technological University

5

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

A rank of #5 makes Bradley University one of the top schools for general chemistry. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bradley University awarded about 13 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380. Get the full general chemistry details for Bradley University

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #6 position for general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 174 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $78,863 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,043 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general chemistry from University Of Wisconsin Madison

7

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame landed the #7 spot for general chemistry this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $84,652 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,891. Read more about the general chemistry program at University Of Notre Dame

8

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #8 position for general chemistry this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from University Of Detroit Mercy earn around $76,755 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. See the full general chemistry program report for University Of Detroit Mercy

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 133 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $85,454 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general chemistry details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

10

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago earned the #10 position for general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 19 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. Get the full general chemistry details for Loyola University Chicago

11

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #11 among the best general chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. More information about a degree in general chemistry from Illinois State University

12

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #12 position for general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $22,781 in student loans. More information about a degree in general chemistry from Lewis University

13

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #13 spot for general chemistry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 163 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $74,138 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the general chemistry program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

14

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford came in at #14 for general chemistry this year. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 51 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $49,700. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans. More information about a degree in general chemistry from Miami University Oxford

15

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #15 for general chemistry this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 82 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $66,955. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. See the full general chemistry program report for Indiana University Bloomington

16

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #16 position for general chemistry this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 169 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $66,397 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the general chemistry program at Purdue University Main Campus

17

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #17 for general chemistry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 71 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $47,387 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree. Get the full general chemistry details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

18

Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University landed the #18 spot for general chemistry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Appleton. Lawrence University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence University in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $15,699. Read more about the general chemistry program at Lawrence University

19

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College earned the #19 position for general chemistry this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Oberlin. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 11 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from Oberlin College earn around $25,146 in the first couple years of their career. Oberlin College graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. See the full general chemistry program report for Oberlin College

20

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 101 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. General Chemistry graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,086 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,225 to complete this degree. See the full general chemistry program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

21

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University placed #21 among the best general chemistry schools. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 14 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete this degree. See the full general chemistry program report for Eastern Illinois University

22

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #22 position for general chemistry this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 44 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $46,659 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full general chemistry program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

23

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #23 position for general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 19 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $50,659 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the general chemistry program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

24

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University landed the #24 spot for general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. About 12 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Indiana State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Typical student debt for the program is $23,081. More information about a degree in general chemistry from Indiana State University

25

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 132 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. General Chemistry graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $43,349 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,751. See the full general chemistry program report for Ohio University Main Campus