2026 Best Chemical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Chemical Engineering master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 214 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 build 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Students borrow a median of $15,209 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
The strong Chemical Engineering programs at Rice University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $13,178. Get the full Rice University report
The strong Chemical Engineering programs at Carnegie Mellon University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based 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. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $23,125. Get the full Carnegie Mellon University report
Stanford University came in at #4 on this year's Chemical Engineering ranking in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $10,492. Read the full report on Stanford University
Out of the 214 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Northwestern University landed the #5 spot. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $16,500. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Princeton University placed #6 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit school based in Princeton, NJ. Princeton University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Read the full report on Princeton University
Vanderbilt University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students 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. Read more about Vanderbilt University
Bucknell University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,812. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Bucknell University
Washington University In St Louis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
Villanova University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school based in Villanova, PA. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Villanova University
Cornell University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $14,361. Read more about Cornell University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh did well this year, earning the #12 position. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $22,244 in debt. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Austin, TX. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $19,844. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $17,733 in student loans. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $21,250. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $27,000. More on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $21,947 in debt. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
University Of Notre Dame landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Notre Dame report
Lehigh University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. About 88% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,980. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. More on Lehigh University
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $18,135. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $20,500. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Auburn University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Auburn University Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $23,104 in debt. More on Auburn University
University Of Rochester came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,080. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. See the full University Of Rochester profile
University Of Dayton did well this year, earning the #25 position. University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit school based in Dayton, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Students borrow a median of $22,999 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. Get the full University Of Dayton report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Chemical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Case Western Reserve University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. Based in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $23,250. See the full Case Western Reserve University profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #27 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $25,350. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #29 position. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $20,500. More on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Michigan State University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,573 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. Get the full Michigan State University report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $22,850. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
University Of Florida landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $20,050. More on University Of Florida
Johns Hopkins University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
Michigan Technological University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Michigan Technological University Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $24,750 in debt. Get the full Michigan Technological University report
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #36 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $27,816. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Colorado School Of Mines placed #37 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Colorado School Of Mines is a public school based in Golden, CO. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Colorado School Of Mines profile
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Graduates carry a median of $18,205 in student loans. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $25,495. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #40 position. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $26,548. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Kansas State University placed #41 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. More on Kansas State University
Iowa State University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $20,188. Get the full Iowa State University report
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Chemical Engineering schools. Set in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Stevens Institute Of Technology graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,462. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $26,686. Get the full Stevens Institute Of Technology report
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #44 in this year's ranking. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public school based in Duluth, MN. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $26,915. Get the full University Of Minnesota Duluth report
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $23,250. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Delaware landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $26,058. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Set in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,678. Tulane University Of Louisiana Chemical Engineering students take on a median of $22,077 in debt. Get the full Tulane University Of Louisiana report
Clemson University placed #48 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical Chemical Engineering student debt is $21,450. See the full Clemson University profile
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. Missouri University Of Science And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete their Chemical Engineering program here. Get the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology report
University Of Houston placed #50 among Chemical Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. The median Chemical Engineering program debt is $20,000. Get the full University Of Houston report
Related Chemical Engineering Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Chemical Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Chemical Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Chemical Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Chemical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Chemical Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Chemical Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).