Compare 10 Chemical Engineering. programs in Pennsylvania. Average earnings: $93,762.
With top graduates earning $108K, Chemical Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $14K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
University of Pennsylvania's Chemical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $108K, well above the state average of $94K. Carnegie Mellon follows at $103K, while Bucknell reaches $101K. These outcomes demonstrate that program-specific factors drive career success more than overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Pennsylvania graduates borrow $16K and face just a 2.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong programs surprisingly affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $107,816 | 40 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Good |
| #2 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $102,617 | 40 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Good |
| #3 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | $101,352 | 18 | $27,000 | Excellent | $62,750 | Manageable |
| #4 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $93,093 | 22 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Manageable |
| #5 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $91,386 | 59 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Manageable |
| #6 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $90,679 | 78 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #7 | $90,120 | 97 | $24,250 | Excellent | $35,031 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $87,418 | 191 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #9 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | $86,678 | 31 | $16,000 | Excellent | $59,000 | Manageable |
| #10 | Widener UniversityPrivate | $86,464 | 12 | $27,000 | Excellent | $33,146 | 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 →
