What Are The Top Chemical Engineering Schools In The U.S.?

As the world looks for better and more efficient uses of natural resources, chemical engineering as a profession has become a critical tool for advancing the world safely into the future. Chemical Engineers are involved in product development, medical research and DNA analysis. They have a far reaching effect on many aspects of day to day life and a top level education is essential to learn proper research techniques.

According to a U.S. News survey, here is a list of the top 10 Chemical Engineering schools in America.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology was founded in 1861. The campus is located in Cambridge. Overall, MIT’s School of Engineering is the most respected in the industry. The Department of Chemical Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science degree with one of two options, Chemical Engineering or Chemical-Biological Engineering plus a Bachelor of Science with a concentration on Chemical Engineering (this degree is usually earned in conjunction with another department).

There are two options for the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, the standard degree that requires a thesis and the practice degree without a thesis. The department also offers a PhD in Chemical Engineering which gives students the opportunity to participate is some of the most prominent research projects in all of academia. Estimated Annual Tuition: $43,210

2. University of California–Berkeley

The University of Cal Berkeley was founded in 1868. The Department of Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering is under the guidance of the College of Chemistry. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering as a prelude to industry employment or advancement into the graduate school programs.

While the department does offer a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, it is currently restricted to the product development area of concentration. The PhD in Chemical Engineering degree provides the student with a opportunity to become involved in some of the most important research done within the school. Estimated Annual Tuition: $12,864 residents, $35,742 non-residents

3. Stanford University

Stanford University is a private school located in California right next to the Silicon Valley. The school was founded in 1885. The School of Engineering is one of only three schools that offer undergrad degrees within the university. The Department of Chemical Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree.

Stanford’s students are given a balance of coursework and research study to prepare them for entry into the chemical engineering industry or to tackle the advance degree programs available at the school. Both the Master of Science and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering put a strong emphasis on research study and cutting edge laboratory work. Estimated Annual Tuition: $42,690

4. University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota is a public state run university located in Minneapolis and was founded in 1851. The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science is under the umbrella of the College of Science and Engineering. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering for students who are ready to deal with many of the earth’s issues such as efficient use of resources and cutting edge medical therapies.

The school also offers three advanced degrees, Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Master of Science in Engineering with a concentration on chemicals and materials and a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Estimated Annual Tuition: $12,060 residents, $18,310

5. California Institute of Technology

The California Institute of Technology is a private school founded in 1891 and located in Pasadena. The Department of Chemical Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with Chemical Engineering major. Students are required to study and understand information such as molecular transformations, integrated phenomena from molecular to macroscopic and complex phenomena.

For the PhD in Chemical Engineering, students are required to apply what they have learned and participate in cutting edge research. The degree can also be used as a catapult to a career in academia. Estimated Annual Tuition: $41,790

6. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Tech is a public school located in Atlanta and was founded in 1885. The School of Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering is affiliated with the College of Engineering. They offer a Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering degree. There are two areas of concentration available with this degree, the Biotechnology Option which encourages the student to focus on the bio-molecular aspects of chemical engineering and the Standard Option which gives the student more flexibility to participate in other areas of engineering. The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering can be obtained via coursework only, but the PhD in Chemical Engineering will expose the student to many research opportunities. Estimated Annual Tuition: $10,650 residents, 29,954 non-residents

7. Princeton University

Princeton University is one of the most honored educational institutions in the world. The school is located in Princeton, New Jersey and was founded in 1746. The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering is part of the School of Engineering. The departments offers a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. Without advanced studies, this degree is still relevant in industries such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, oil refineries and solar panels.

The graduate program offers two options for the Master’s, a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (thesis required) and a Master’s in Engineering with a Chemical Engineering concentration (no thesis). The school also offers a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Estimated Annual Tuition: $41,820

8. University of Wisconsin–Madison

The University of Wisconsin was founded in 1848. The College of Engineering is home to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. Within the coursework, students will begin to learn the techniques required for doing both traditional and cutting edge research. The school also offers a PhD in Chemical Engineering. In order to earn this distinction, each student is required to complete six advance courses related to the field as well as the preparation of a dissertation research. They are also required to spend two full semesters as a teacher’s assistant as training for a possible career in academics. Estimated Annual Tuition: $10,400 residents, $26,700 non-resident

9. University of Texas–Austin

The University of Texas was founded in 1883. While the school maintains several campuses, the Austin campus is the main one. The Cockrell School of Engineering houses the Department of Chemical Engineering which offers two plans that will lead the student to a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering degree.

The graduate school offers both a Master of Chemical Engineering and a Doctorate of Chemical Engineering. For both of these degrees, students will be challenged to spend a great deal of time in the UT state-of-the-art research lab where they will learn research techniques used throughout the world. The school has a great advantage of being located in one of the highest oil producing states in the country. Estimated Annual Tuition: $10,200 residents, $35,100

10. University of Delaware
The University of Delaware is a public school located in Newark. The school was founded in 1743. The College of Engineering is where you will find the Department of Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering. The department offers a Baccalaureate degree in Chemical Engineering. They also have a five year program which allows students to earn two degrees, one in Chemical Engineering and one from the College of Arts and Sciences.

A Master of Chemical Engineering can be earned by one of two options, a thesis option or a course option. The PhD in Chemical Engineering requires the student to continue with course work, but also dedicate themselves to related research work. Estimated Annual Tuition: $10,580 residents, $28,400 non-residents