Best Chemical engineering universities in USA

Best chemical engineering universities | An overview

Chemical engineers are regarded as “universal engineers” due to the varied subjects included in their education. Usually found working in manufacturing & research, chemical engineers are widely employed by fuel & chemical production companies. But that’s not all they do. They specialize in various fields ranging from electronics, clothing, foods, pharmaceuticals, biologicals, drugs, and more. But which college should you choose? Does it have all the courses you need? What about the tuition? This blog attempts to answer all these questions and more by telling you about the best chemical engineering universities in the USA.

 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

To nobody’s surprise, MIT Chemical Engineering is at the apex of the list of the best chemical engineering universities in the US. Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice (M.S.CEP) at MIT requires two semesters of studying and 6 months of internship. The subjects covered include chemical engineering, applied chemistry, systems engineering, and a few other electives.

• Tuition: $26,725 per term
• Average Boarding: $10,056 to $24,996 per year
• Average Assistantship Stipend: $2985 per month

MIT Chemical Engineering department’s history dates back to the 1800s, and yet, its work takes us decades into the future. Add to this the health, environment, and social responsibility taught at MIT, and you’ll agree it should stay at the top of this list. 

Stanford University

A close second to the top of the list, Stanford University prepares students to make original contributions to Chemical Engineering and related fields. The Honors Cooperative Program at Stanford is a terminal degree for students seeking advanced knowledge in a focused area of chemical engineering. The specialty of this program is that students can choose to complete the degree online, and it can be done over a period of 2-5 years. 

• Tuition: $41,600 per term
• Average Boarding: $17,255 per year
• Average Assistantship Stipend: $24,214 per year

The subjects taught are molecular thermodynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy, applied mathematics, and biochemical engineering. They specialize in producing and manipulating chemicals in order to create new properties that help with a healthier, cleaner and more efficient world.

University of California, Berkeley

At Berkeley, the graduate work in chemical engineering focuses on original research in areas of applied science. The course admits only 3 to 5 students per semester and covers chemical fundamentals, thermodynamics, and kinetics.

• Tuition: $30,630 per term
• Average Boarding: $15,646 per term
• Average Assistantship Stipend: Not mentioned

The course covers innovative topics such as catalysis and reaction engineering, electrochemical engineering, polymers, complex fluids, microsystems technology, microelectronics, etc. Renowned for being one of the best chemical engineering universities, UC Berkeley is the place to be.

 

 

California Institute of Technology

Known worldwide for its programs in engineering and science, Caltech’s Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering attracts the brightest and most creative minds in the world. Students are trained in mathematics, engineering, and physical, chemical, and biological sciences. The department is known for its teaching methods, research techniques, and innovative mindset.

• Tuition: $52,506 per term
• Average Boarding: $15,780 per term
• Average Assistantship Stipend: Info restricted to Caltech & JPL Networks

Caltech also offers interdisciplinary program options in biochemistry & molecular biophysics. The university encourages its students to apply their knowledge to develop new chemical processes and materials.

Princeton University

With its stellar reputation and great research advancements in fields such as Biomolecular Engineering and Energy & Environment, Princeton University is undoubtedly the crème de la crème of chemical engineering colleges. The Chemical and Biological Engineering department at Princeton offers a research-based master’s program that takes up to two years of studying. 

• Tuition: $53,770 per term
• Average Boarding: $31,350 per year
• Average Assistantship Stipend: $31,781 per year

The course lets students specialize in complex materials & processing, energy & environment, surface science & catalysis, and theory & simulation. The students at Princeton conduct world-class research in the field of chemical engineering that defines the frontiers of knowledge.

University of Wisconsin – Madison

The chemical engineering at U of Wisconsin – Madison emphasizes extensive and original approaches to problem-solving. The university admits only to its Ph.D. program and awards an M.S. degree for work leading to the Ph.D. itself. The good news? The M.S. degree is not a prerequisite for the Ph.D. degree! 

• Tuition: $12,753 per term
• Average Boarding: $10,842 per year
• Average Assistantship Stipend: $20,402 per year

The university offers research opportunities in several areas, including nanotechnology, atomic modeling, polymer synthesis, environmental sustainability, and reactor design! They believe in providing their students with the strong, fundamental knowledge and a solid background in the field of chemistry.

University of California – Los Angeles

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, California, UCLA offers two master’s degrees. While one is a plain Master’s With a Thesis, the other is a Master’s in Semiconductor Manufacturing. The program requirements include thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and chemical reaction engineering. Students who have mastered these can specialize in biomolecular engineering, energy & the environment, nano-engineering, and semiconductor manufacturing.

• Tuition: $32,454 per year
• Average Boarding: $15,816 per year
• Average Assistantship Stipend: $22,568 per year

The program admits 30 applicants a year so that each student gets a dedicated advisor. Famed for its research and small student-to-faculty ratio, UCLA is one of the best chemical engineering universities in the USA.

University of Minnesota

With its highly respected staff, well-organized curriculum, and great scientific & technological advances, the University of Minnesota has one of the best graduate programs in chemical engineering. Like Wisconsin, they accept only Ph.D. candidates and work with students who wish to complete their Masters. The two primary degrees offered are Chemical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering.

• Tuition: $33,325 per year
• Average Boarding: $18,795 per year
• Average Assistantship Stipend: Students in good academic standing get full financial support

The research areas include biological engineering, nanomechanics, electron microscopy, reaction engineering, polymer science, and more! It shows that the university thrives on innovation and the cultivation of new ideas.

University of Texas at Austin

The chemical engineering department at the University of Texas conducts research in several fields ranging from biotechnology and advanced materials to polymers and nanotechnology. The students in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering work closely with professors to develop innovative solutions that impact society. The students earn a coursework equivalent to a master’s degree on their way to a doctorate.

• Tuition: $19,320 per year
• Average Boarding: $13,500 per year
• Average Assistantship Stipend: All students get full financial support

Over the last decade, university professors have helped found start-ups in the fields of cancer, solar cell technology, lithography, and more. With its entrepreneurial mindset and many areas of study, the University of Texas at Austin is among the best chemical engineering universities in the USA.

Yale University

Thanks to a stellar faculty (one of them is a Nobel prize winner), Yale University’s Chemical Engineering department is guided by sustainability and environmental engineering with a molecular focus. The university does pioneering research in the fields of nanomaterials, interfacial phenomena, complex fluids, and more.

• Tuition: $21,650 per term
• Average Boarding: $1,452 per month
• Average Assistantship Stipend: All students get full financial support

By the time students graduate, they are versed in maths, kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport. Combine that with the small number of students the program accepts every year, and you’ll come to see why Yale is deemed as one of the best chemical engineering universities in the USA.

What’s next?

We hope this blog on the best chemical engineering universities will help you decide on the perfect university for you. To learn more about other universities, you can check out our other blogs – such as the ones on Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard, and Boston University. If you need any assistance in choosing the right university, feel free to drop a comment or reach out to us. 

Liked this blog? Read next: Diploma in Engineering | Everything you need to know about the course!

FAQs

Q1. Which state in the USA pays the most to chemical engineers?

Answer- With regards to the number of positions and the payscale, Texas is one of the best states in the USA for chemical engineers. 

Q2. What is the average salary of chemical engineers in the USA?

Answer- The average salary for chemical engineers is around $106,296 in the USA. 

Q3. Is chemical engineering a good career choice?

Answer- As challenging as it is, chemical engineering is a rewarding career. It is one of the most sought-after and among the highest-paying branches of engineering. If math and physics are your strong suit, this can be a perfect career option for you.