Find Affordable College Courses

What Do You Want to Study?

2026 Best Chemical Engineering Schools

2026 Best Chemical Engineering Schools

Looking for the best Chemical Engineering programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 214 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.

To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.

Top 25 Chemical Engineering Schools in the United States

Explore the leading schools below:

Our analysis found Massachusetts Institute Of Technology to be the best Chemical Engineering school in the United States. Set in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $15,209. See the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology profile

#2

Rice University

Houston, TX

Out of the 214 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Rice University landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $13,178. Read more about Rice University

#3

University Of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame came in at #3 on this year's Chemical Engineering ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $19,000. Get the full University Of Notre Dame report

#4

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Out of the 214 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Carnegie Mellon University landed the #4 spot. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $23,125. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile

#5

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

The strong Chemical Engineering programs at Northwestern University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Northwestern University Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $16,500 in debt. See the full Northwestern University profile

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #6 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $19,844. More on The University Of Texas At Austin

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology placed #7 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Terre Haute, IN, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,046. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $24,500. Read the full report on Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology

#8

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. About 98% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Princeton University Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. Read the full report on Princeton University

#9

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Vanderbilt University Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. More on Vanderbilt University

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

#11

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Cornell University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $14,361. Read the full report on Cornell University

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $18,135. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station

#13

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University placed #13 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bucknell University graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. See the full Bucknell University profile

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $21,250. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile

Washington University In St Louis came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Read more about Washington University In St Louis

#16

Purdue University Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $21,500. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus

#17

University Of Virginia Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $17,733. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $25,350 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile

University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #19 position. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $21,947 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report

#20

Kettering University

Flint, MI

Kettering University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Flint, MI, Kettering University is a private not-for-profit institution. Kettering University graduates 71% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,425. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $29,000. Read the full report on Kettering University

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,850 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

North Carolina State University At Raleigh did well this year, earning the #22 position. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $22,244. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh

#23

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bethlehem, PA. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,980. Lehigh University Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Lehigh University

#24

Lafayette College

Easton, PA

Lafayette College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit school based in Easton, PA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,648. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $17,000. See the full Lafayette College profile

Colorado School Of Mines did well this year, earning the #25 position. Colorado School Of Mines is a public school based in Golden, CO. About 82% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $27,000. See the full Colorado School Of Mines profile

Rest of the Top 50 Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the United States

Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:

#26

University Of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #26 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile

Michigan Technological University placed #27 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $24,750. Get the full Michigan Technological University report

University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $18,155. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley

#29

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Auburn University Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $23,104 in debt. Read more about Auburn University

#30

University Of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida did well this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,050 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Florida

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #31 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public school based in Baton Rouge, LA. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. Get the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College report

#32

Villanova University

Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #32 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,776. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $27,000. More on Villanova University

#33

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,573 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. Read the full report on Michigan State University

Iowa State University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $20,188. See the full Iowa State University profile

#35

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. See the full Stanford University profile

Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hoboken, NJ. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,462. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $26,686. See the full Stevens Institute Of Technology profile

#37

University Of Delaware

Newark, DE

University Of Delaware placed #37 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $26,058. Read more about University Of Delaware

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #38 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Stevens Point, WI. About 56% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Graduates carry a median of $22,565 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

#39

Clemson University

Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #39 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $21,450. Get the full Clemson University report

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,548 in student loans. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #42 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. University Of Southern California Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $13,000 in debt. Read more about University Of Southern California

Case Western Reserve University placed #43 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Case Western Reserve University

#44

University Of Rochester

Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $23,000. More on University Of Rochester

#45

University Of Dayton

Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,140. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $22,999. More on University Of Dayton

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #46 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $25,495. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #47 position. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Set in Johnstown, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown graduates 56% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,548 in student loans. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown

#49

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #49 position. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Texas Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Read more about Texas Tech University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $25,332. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report

Best Chemical Engineering Schools by Degree Level

Explore rankings for a specific degree level:

Ranking Methodology & Notes

These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 214 ranked schools only.

References

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.