by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Polymer Chemistry involves the study of Polymer Chemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Synthesized Macromolecules And Their Interactions With Other Substances. Includes Instruction In Molecular Bonding Theory, Polymerization, Properties And Behavior Of Unstable Compounds, The Development Of Tailored Polymers, Transition Phenomena, And Applications To Specific Industrial Problems And Technologies. Continue reading for the important information every polymer chemistry student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering polymer chemistry programs.
Across the country, polymer chemistry is a popular field of study, with 83 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Polymer Chemistry Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for polymer chemistry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of polymer chemistry programs later in this article.
Programs in Polymer Chemistry develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations polymer chemistry graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a polymer chemistry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a polymer chemistry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several polymer 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 | 49 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 32 |
People currently working in careers related to polymer chemistry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.7% |
| Master’s degree | 19.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.8% |
| Some college courses | 3.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in polymer chemistry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in polymer chemistry opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to polymer chemistry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to polymer chemistry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Chemists | 91,666 | 3.1% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of polymer chemistry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,286 |
| 4 years | $61,499 |
| 5 years | $72,069 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for polymer chemistry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers polymer chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
| Chemists | $59,779 |
With 8 different polymer chemistry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased polymer chemistry school rankings to help you.
Students interested in polymer chemistry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry, General | 18,323 |
| Chemistry, Other | 540 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 367 |
| Chemical Physics | 41 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 38 |
| Environmental Chemistry | 20 |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| Physical Chemistry | 8 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
