Chemical engineering is one of the engineering disciplines that deal with the development and production of chemicals and chemical-based products. It also involves designing processes to create the desired product which includes equipment design, refining processes, compounding, etc. They are also responsible to create economical processes to extract minerals, oils, and other chemical compounds from raw materials or ores.
Graduates with a chemical engineering degree from the USA are eligible to work in a number of the different fields including food and drugs, refineries, manufacturing, energy, etc. A practising engineer requires certification in order to work as a chemical engineer and a bachelor’s degree is generally sufficient to obtain the certificate.
As an international student, you have the opportunity of attending any of the best universities, or colleges in the United States that provide the best Chemical Engineering programs.
The majority of chemical engineering graduates find work in manufacturing enterprises in the United States, followed by graduates in the petroleum and pharmaceutical industries.
The average starting salary after completing masters in chemical engineering in USA is around 65,000+ USD/annum
Top Chemical Engineering University in the USA is listed below:
Rank |
University |
1 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
2 |
Stanford University |
3 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
5 |
California Institute of Technology |
12 |
Princeton University |
14 |
University of Wisconsin - Madison |
17 |
University of Minnesota Twin Cities |
19 |
University of California, Los Angeles |
20 |
University of Texas at Austin |
23 |
Yale University |
24 |
Northwestern University |
27 |
Cornell University |
30 |
Purdue University |
40 |
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
41 |
University of Pennsylvania |
48 |
University of California, Santa Barbara |
Top Chemical Engineering University in the USA: Bachelor of Chemical Engineering
A bachelor's degree in chemical engineering provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of chemical engineering through lectures and laboratory experience thus making students eligible to pursue a career in the field of chemical engineering or seek graduate study.
Students who wish to study Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering start their undergraduate study in a general bachelor of Science program. After the completion of the first year, they are required to declare a major for which a certain progression requirement must be met.
In the United States, a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering prepares students in biology, chemistry, and physics. It is concerned with the transformation of basic materials into societally beneficial goods.
Graduates from USA will be able to work in a variety of businesses and sectors, such as energy, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, among others.
The course duration is of 4 years and the tuition fee for the program ranges from $22,000 to $57,000 per year in top USA schools.
University |
Program |
Course Duration |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering |
4 years |
Stanford University |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering |
4 years |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering |
4 years |
California Institute of Technology |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering |
4 years |
Princeton University |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering |
4 years |
University of Wisconsin - Madison |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering |
4 years |
University of Minnesota Twin Cities |
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering |
4 years |
University of California, Los Angeles |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering |
4 years |
University of Texas at Austin |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering |
4 years |
Yale University |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering |
4 years |
Application Requirement:
- SAT or ACT scores
- English Language Test Scores
- Application Fee
- High School Certificates
- Teacher’s Evaluation or References
Academic Requirement:
- Completion of higher secondary education
- A minimum score of 3.0 to 3.4 out of 4.0
English Language Requirement:
- A minimum TOEFL score of 80 to 100 overall
- A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 overall
- A minimum DUOLINGO score of 115 to 120 overall.
Top Chemical Engineering University in USA: Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Tuition Fee)
University |
Tuition Fee |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
$55,510 ($27,750*2) |
Stanford University |
$40,050 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
$44,000 |
California Institute of Technology |
$58,479 |
Princeton University |
$57,410 |
University of Wisconsin - Madison |
$39,354 |
University of Minnesota Twin Cities |
$33,958 |
University of California, Los Angeles |
$44,830 |
University of Texas at Austin |
$44,042 (22,021*2) |
Yale University |
$55,500 |
Top Chemical Engineering University in the USA: Master of Chemical Engineering
A master's degree in chemical engineering provides an opportunity for students with a strong background in mathematics, chemistry, and physics to specialize in a particular domain of chemical engineering or apply these concepts in research.
Master's degrees in chemical engineering are available from American universities with a variety of specialities, including Masters of Science (MSc.) and Masters of Engineering (MEng). (ME).
Admission to master's programs in chemical engineering in the United States requires a strong performance on the ELPs as well as the GRE.
The course duration of a master's degree is anywhere between 1 to 2 years. The tuition fee for the program ranges from $17,000 to $62,000 per year.
University |
Program |
Course Duration |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering |
1 year |
California Institute of Technology |
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering |
2 years |
Princeton University |
MS or MEng in Chemical Engineering |
1.5 – 2 years |
University of Wisconsin - Madison |
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering |
1.5 years |
University of California, Los Angeles |
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering |
1.5 – 2 years |
University of Texas at Austin |
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering |
1.5 – 2 years |
Northwestern University |
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering |
1 – 1.5 years |
Document Requirement:
- Official Transcripts
- GRE scores (General)
- English language test scores
- Resume
- Letter of References (2 – 3)
- Statement of Purpose
Academic Requirement:
- A four years bachelor's degree from a recognized institution
- The degree must be in a field that requires at least 2 years of physics, mathematics, chemistry, and engineering
- A minimum score of 3.0 to 3.4 out of 4.0
English Language Requirement:
- An IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 with at least 6.0 to 6.5 in each band.
- A TOEFL score of 80 to 100 with at least 18 to 23 in each section.
- A Duolingo English Test score of 115 to 120.
Top Chemical Engineering University in USA: Master of Chemical Engineering (Tuition Fee)
University |
Tuition Fee |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
$62,390 (31,195*2) |
California Institute of Technology |
$56,364 |
Princeton University |
$57,410 |
University of Wisconsin - Madison |
$25,500 |
University of California, Los Angeles |
$32,858 |
University of Texas at Austin |
$27,370 ($13,685*2) |
Northwestern University |
$62,160 |
Top Chemical Engineering University in USA: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
The Ph.D. program is the highest level of research degree and is designed to prepare students for careers as researchers for carrying out independent research in academic institutions or industries.
The course duration of a doctoral program in chemical engineering is 4 to 6 years depending upon the prior education of the student. The tuition fee for the program ranges from $14,000 to $25,000 but the students of the doctoral program are generally fully funded through grants, fellowships, assistantships, or scholarships.
University |
Program |
Course Duration |
Princeton University |
Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering |
4 – 6 years |
University of Wisconsin - Madison |
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering |
4 – 6 years |
University of Minnesota Twin Cities |
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering |
4 – 6 years |
University of California, Los Angeles |
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering |
4 – 6 years |
University of Texas at Austin |
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering |
4 – 6 years |
Northwestern University |
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering |
4 – 6 years |
Document Requirement:
- Official Transcripts
- GRE scores (General)
- English language test scores
- Resume
- Letter of References (2 – 3)
- Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement
Academic Requirement:
- A bachelor’s or a master’s degree from an accredited institution
- A minimum score of 3.0 to 3.4
- The field of study must be relevant to the intended field of research
English Language Requirement:
- An IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 with at least 6.0 to 6.5 in each band.
- A TOEFL score of 80 to 100 with at least 18 to 23 in each section.
- A Duolingo English Test score of 115 to 120.
Top Chemical Engineering University in USA: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (Tuition Fee)
University |
Tuition Fee |
Princeton University |
NA |
University of Wisconsin - Madison |
$25,500 |
University of Minnesota Twin Cities |
$28,764 |
University of California, Los Angeles |
$32,858 |
University of Texas at Austin |
$17,429 |
Northwestern University |
$14,016 |
Top Chemical Engineering University in USA: Scholarship
A number of academic institutes are devoted to assisting future chemical engineers in the United States. These organizations provide scholarships, grants, and internships to deserving persons who are members of their organizations and have a promising academic and professional future.
Fortunately, chemical engineering majors are qualified for a number of scholarships in US top universities, and you may be one of them. Universities put aside cash for the finest applicants who are enthusiastic about chemical engineering and stand out from their peers.
The following table list some of the scholarships awarded to an international student in the USA.
University |
Award |
Amount |
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
International Undergraduate Scholarship |
$10,000 |
University of Wisconsin – Madison |
King-Morgridge scholars program |
Full tuition, insurance, and stipends for four years |
Western union scholarship |
$1000 |
|
University of Minnesota Twin Cities |
Global Excellence Scholarship |
$10,000 or $15,000 or $25,000 per year for four years |
Undergraduate Research Scholarship |
Varies |
|
Northwestern University |
Financial Aid Awards for International Students |
Varies |
Top Chemical Engineering University in the USA: Job Scope
If you have a chemical engineering degree from US best universities, consider yourself fortunate: you have a wide range of job opportunities. So many, in fact, that deciding which to choose can be challenging.
Chemical engineering has a wide range of applications and thus a chemical engineer can find a job in a wide spectrum of fields such as energy, manufacturing, design, drugs, foods, pharmaceuticals. etc.
Students for chemical engineering degrees are not confined to careers in the oil and gas business only instead they have a wide range of career options, including research and development, environmental work, design processes, entrepreneurship, and even medical school.
The average salary with a Science in Chemical Engineering certificate in the USA is $83,000 per year.
Role |
Range of Salary |
Average Salary |
Process Engineer |
$62,000 - $100,000 |
$77,355 |
Chemical Engineer |
$59,000 - $111,000 |
$76,573 |
Senior Process Engineer |
$87,000 - $136,000 |
$108,792 |
Materials Engineer |
$63,000 - $101,000 |
$78,532 |
Research Engineer |
$51,000 - $123,000 |
$79,166 |
Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer |
$55,000 - $94,000 |
$71,569 |
Senior Chemical Engineer |
$89,000 - $147,000 |
$113,302 |
Manufacturing Engineer |
$$60,000 - $95,000 |
$75,399 |
Top Hiring Companies for Chemical Engineers in the USA
- ExxonMobil
- Eastman
- Honeywell
- BASF
- DOW
- DuPont
- Ecolab
- BP
- Merck