Compare 12 Chemical Engineering. programs in New York. Average earnings: $87,081.
With top graduates earning $105,514, Chemical Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $18K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
At the top, Columbia University produces Chemical Engineering graduates earning $105,514, matching Cornell's outcomes despite different program approaches. Stony Brook University demonstrates the regional public advantage, delivering $93,060 earnings with a 49% acceptance rate—nearly 12 times more accessible than Columbia's 4.2% rate.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 2.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Stony Brook leads with an 8.3% family burden when parent loans are included, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $105,514
Strong outcomes ($90,212) with 58% acceptance
2.3% payment burden | Excellent
8.3% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $105,514 | 39 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #2 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $105,514 | 61 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #3 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $93,060 | 32 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Good |
| #4 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $91,957 | 29 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Manageable |
| #5 | $90,212 | 109 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Clarkson UniversityPrivate | $87,851 | 52 | $26,000 | Excellent | $36,890 | Manageable |
| #7 | New York UniversityPrivate | $87,775 | 46 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Challenging |
| #8 | University Of RochesterPrivate | $85,039 | 56 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,000 | Manageable |
| #9 | Manhattan CollegePrivate | $82,737 | 29 | $26,000 | Excellent | $56,630 | Challenging |
| #10 | $80,721 | 55 | $26,778 | Excellent | $35,625 | Manageable | |
| #11 | University At BuffaloPublic | $79,817 | 82 | $19,000 | Excellent | $20,734 | Good |
| #12 | Cuny City CollegePublic | $54,776 | 46 | $11,990 | Excellent | $17,460 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
