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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Chemistry Schools in Illinois

7 Colleges in the United States
658 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$58,642 Avg Early-Career Salary

Chemistry degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best chemistry schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Chemistry in Illinois

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 chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Chemistry

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Chicago the best school in the country for a degree in chemistry. 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. About 142 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their 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. See the full chemistry program report for University Of Chicago

2

Students looking for a strong chemistry program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 70 chemistry degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $90,302 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemistry from Northwestern University

3

A rank of #3 makes Bradley University one of the top schools for chemistry. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. Bradley University awarded about 13 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Bradley University earn around $54,513 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380. See the full chemistry program report for Bradley University

4

A rank of #4 makes Illinois Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for chemistry. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 14 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $71,315 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774. Get the full chemistry details for Illinois Institute Of Technology

5

Students looking for a strong chemistry program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 19 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $58,568 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. Get the full chemistry details for Loyola University Chicago

6

Illinois State University placed #6 among the best chemistry schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 30 chemistry degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Illinois State University earn around $49,660 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,875. More information about a degree in chemistry from Illinois State University

7
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University came in at #7 for 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. Lewis University awarded about 17 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Lewis University earn around $55,718 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,781. See the full chemistry program report for Lewis University

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for chemistry this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 163 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $74,138. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemistry from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

9

Eastern Illinois University placed #9 among the best chemistry schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 14 chemistry degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Chemistry graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemistry from Eastern Illinois University

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #10 spot for chemistry this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 44 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $46,659 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemistry program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

11

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #11 among the best chemistry schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $61,829 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,474 in student loans. Read more about the chemistry program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

12

Northern Illinois University came in at #12 for chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 chemistry degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $43,061 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,023 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemistry from Northern Illinois University

13

Western Illinois University placed #13 among the best chemistry schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Western Illinois University graduates 45% of students within six years. About 25 chemistry degrees were awarded at Western Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Western Illinois University earn around $31,980 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemistry from Western Illinois University

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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 · 45 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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