Compare 48 Chemical Engineering. programs in the South. Average earnings: $87,232.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Chemical Engineering tells a different story. Across 48 programs in the South, earnings range from $88,406 to $108,850—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Rice University's Chemical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $108,850, but the real story is how accessible excellence can be. Lamar University follows at $107,127 with an 86% acceptance rate, while Texas A&M College Station delivers $105,292. The average across all programs is $87,232—showing top performers significantly outpace the field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rice graduates borrow $11,000 and face just a 1.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Lamar University leads with a 5.6% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $108,850 | 36 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Good |
| #2 | Lamar UniversityPublic | $107,127 | 47 | $21,250 | Excellent | $11,359 | Excellent |
| #3 | $105,292 | 221 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Good | |
| #4 | University Of TulsaPrivate | $101,924 | 33 | $21,500 | Excellent | $34,500 | Good |
| #5 | $99,522 | 127 | $20,500 | Excellent | $25,645 | Good | |
| #6 | $96,261 | 62 | $20,500 | Excellent | $38,513 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $96,178 | 41 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Good |
| #8 | $95,916 | 180 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Good | |
| #9 | $94,710 | 132 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Good | |
| #10 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $93,785 | 88 | $21,500 | Excellent | $28,086 | Good |
| #11 | $93,745 | 41 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Good | |
| #12 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $93,708 | 136 | $21,000 | Excellent | $43,605 | Manageable |
| #13 | $92,771 | 193 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Good | |
| #14 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $92,466 | 98 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,443 | Good |
| #15 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | $91,987 | 69 | $10,250 | Excellent | $29,048 | Good |
| #16 | University Of FloridaPublic | $91,729 | 106 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Excellent |
| #17 | $91,204 | 104 | $22,142 | Excellent | $25,567 | Good | |
| #18 | University Of LouisvillePublic | $90,870 | 42 | $20,500 | Excellent | $20,717 | Good |
| #19 | $89,909 | 110 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #20 | $88,406 | 31 | $24,929 | Excellent | $26,683 | Good | |
| #21 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $88,071 | 66 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Manageable |
| #22 | University Of HoustonPublic | $87,883 | 81 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Good |
| #23 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $87,015 | 62 | $18,000 | Excellent | $17,000 | Excellent |
| #24 | $86,785 | 58 | $27,000 | Excellent | $16,012 | Good | |
| #25 | $86,698 | 68 | $22,934 | Excellent | $14,224 | Good |
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 →
