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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Chemistry Schools in the The Plains States Region

18 Colleges in the United States
908 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$50,136 Avg Early-Career Salary

Chemistry programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 162 schools to find the best for chemistry students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Chemistry in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall chemistry education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Chemistry

1

Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 school for chemistry. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 57 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,360 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemistry from Washington University In St Louis

2
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in chemistry, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 10 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $56,228 in their early career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemistry from Drake University

3
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in chemistry, ranking #3. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell College in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $38,888 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemistry program at Grinnell College

4

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 126 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $47,451. Students borrow a median of $21,158 to complete this degree. See the full chemistry program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

5
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. About 26 chemistry degrees were awarded at Carleton College in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Carleton College earn around $45,096 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemistry program at Carleton College

6

Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #6 position for chemistry this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rolla. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 27 chemistry degrees were awarded at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. Typical student debt for the program is $25,187. See the full chemistry program report for Missouri University Of Science And Technology

7

The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #7 for chemistry this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Duluth. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from The College Of Saint Scholastica earn around $60,431 in the first couple years of their career. The College Of Saint Scholastica graduates carry a median of $26,755 in student loans. Get the full chemistry details for The College Of Saint Scholastica

8

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #8 spot for chemistry this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $48,906 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,783. See the full chemistry program report for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

9

University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #9 for chemistry this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. About 42 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Chemistry graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $44,674 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Get the full chemistry details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

10

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #10 spot for chemistry this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 47 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $45,279 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemistry from University Of Missouri Columbia

11
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College came in at #11 for chemistry this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 27 chemistry degrees were awarded at St Olaf College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $44,020. Typical student debt for the program is $24,988. See the full chemistry program report for St Olaf College

12

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #12 for chemistry this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 39 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Chemistry graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete this degree. See the full chemistry program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

13

Wayne State College landed the #13 spot for chemistry this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 chemistry degrees were awarded at Wayne State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $46,646 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete this degree. See the full chemistry program report for Wayne State College

14
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608. See the full chemistry program report for University Of Kansas

15
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #15 among the best chemistry schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 73 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $44,847. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,956 in student loans. Get the full chemistry details for University Of Iowa

16

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #16 spot for chemistry this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cape Girardeau. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $43,255 in the first couple years of their career. Southeast Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Get the full chemistry details for Southeast Missouri State University

17

Iowa State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 chemistry degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $57,326 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full chemistry details for Iowa State University

18

Pittsburg State University came in at #18 for chemistry this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 25 chemistry degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Chemistry graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,669. More information about a degree in chemistry from Pittsburg State University

19

Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #19 position for chemistry this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 24 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Typical student debt for the program is $26,901. See the full chemistry program report for Gustavus Adolphus College

20

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #20 for chemistry this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 66 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $39,725 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,821 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemistry from University Of Missouri Kansas City

21

Metropolitan State University came in at #21 for chemistry this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 44% of students finish within six years. Metropolitan State University awarded about 11 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $54,195 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,646 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemistry program at Metropolitan State University

22
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University placed #22 among the best chemistry schools. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 15 chemistry degrees were awarded at Lindenwood University in the most recent year. Chemistry graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Lindenwood University graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemistry from Lindenwood University

23

Creighton University came in at #23 for chemistry this year. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 22 chemistry degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Creighton University earn around $64,369 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,733. See the full chemistry program report for Creighton University

24

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Northwest Missouri State University awarded about 14 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Northwest Missouri State University earn around $39,478 in the first couple years of their career. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $24,884 in student loans. Read more about the chemistry program at Northwest Missouri State University

25

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. About 23 chemistry degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $41,166 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750. Get the full chemistry details for Missouri State University Springfield

Rest of the Top 28 Chemistry Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong chemistry education:

26
27
28

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 162 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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