Chemistry 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 1380 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for chemistry students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Chemistry School
The chemistry program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Chemistry Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Chemistry School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Chemistry Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best chemistry schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 53 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
Read more about the chemistry program at Stanford University
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 47 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
Read more about the chemistry program at University Of Southern California
Students looking for a strong chemistry program will find one at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 142 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $81,002 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in chemistry from University Of Chicago
Northwestern University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Northwestern University earn around $90,302 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
See the full chemistry program report for Northwestern University
San Jose State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full chemistry program report for San Jose State University
Rice University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Rice University awarded about 62 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
See the full chemistry program report for Rice University
Dartmouth College came in at #7 for chemistry this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Dartmouth College earn around $81,992 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989.
More information about a degree in chemistry from Dartmouth College
University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best chemistry schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 108 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
Read more about the chemistry program at University Of Pennsylvania
Washington University In St Louis earned the #9 position for chemistry this year. 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. About 57 chemistry degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Typical student debt for the program is $17,360.
Get the full chemistry details for Washington University In St Louis
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best chemistry schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 96 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
Read more about the chemistry program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Vanderbilt University placed #11 among the best chemistry schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 44 chemistry degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
More information about a degree in chemistry from Vanderbilt University
Harvard University placed #12 among the best chemistry schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 103 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $95,207 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
See the full chemistry program report for Harvard University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #13 position for chemistry this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 65 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $83,560 in their early career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans.
Read more about the chemistry program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of California Berkeley came in at #14 for chemistry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 207 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $83,865 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,172 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in chemistry from University Of California Berkeley
Tufts University earned the #15 position for chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 50 chemistry degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Tufts University earn around $68,154 in the first couple years of their career. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans.
Read more about the chemistry program at Tufts University
Marquette University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Marquette University awarded about 22 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $60,443 in their early career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans.
Read more about the chemistry program at Marquette University
Brown University landed the #17 spot for chemistry this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. Brown University awarded about 44 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $62,820 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
See the full chemistry program report for Brown University
Princeton University earned the #18 position for chemistry this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 100 chemistry degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $67,532 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
See the full chemistry program report for Princeton University
Amherst College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Amherst College graduates 94% of students within six years. Amherst College awarded about 20 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $59,271 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,398.
See the full chemistry program report for Amherst College
Drake University came in at #20 for chemistry this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 chemistry degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans.
Get the full chemistry details for Drake University
Davidson College landed the #21 spot for chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Davidson College awarded about 24 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Davidson College graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans.
Read more about the chemistry program at Davidson College
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #22 spot for chemistry this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. Typical student debt for the program is $15,259.
More information about a degree in chemistry from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Boston College came in at #23 for chemistry this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of Boston College earn a median of $66,132 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in chemistry from Boston College
Colby College landed the #24 spot for chemistry this year. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Colby College graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Colby College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete this degree.
Read more about the chemistry program at Colby College
Bucknell University came in at #25 for chemistry this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 14 chemistry degrees were awarded at Bucknell University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $64,331 in their early career. Bucknell University graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans.
Read more about the chemistry program at Bucknell University
Rest of the Top 50 Chemistry Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemistry ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1380 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
