Compare 29 Chemical Engineering. programs in the West. Average earnings: $83,546.
Chemical Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $81,439 and $108,067—a $27K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 29 ranked programs in the West, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
University of California-Berkeley's Chemical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $108,067. But the story isn't about Berkeley's overall prestige—it's about program excellence. Brigham Young University follows at $99,093, with San Jose State at $93,875, proving that strong outcomes emerge from focused program quality rather than school rankings alone.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Brigham Young University graduates borrow $11,069 and face just a 2.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Even Berkeley, with $13,000 in student debt, maintains a 2.1% burden—proof that top Chemical Engineering programs deliver both strong earnings and manageable debt loads.
Highest program earnings: $108,067
Strong outcomes ($99,093) with 69% acceptance
2.0% payment burden | Excellent
4.0% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $108,067 | 112 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Excellent | |
| #2 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $99,093 | 97 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #3 | $93,875 | 50 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Excellent | |
| #4 | $93,146 | 79 | $19,500 | Excellent | $46,340 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $92,741 | 74 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #6 | $92,357 | 164 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Good | |
| #7 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | $91,744 | 11 | $12,000 | Excellent | $38,333 | Good |
| #8 | $90,820 | 130 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Good | |
| #9 | $89,986 | 41 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Good | |
| #10 | $88,962 | 38 | $17,095 | Excellent | $10,166 | Excellent | |
| #11 | $88,952 | 79 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Excellent | |
| #12 | $87,132 | 54 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Good | |
| #13 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $85,855 | 71 | $19,620 | Excellent | $30,126 | Good |
| #14 | $85,181 | 105 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Good | |
| #15 | $82,714 | 68 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Good | |
| #16 | University Of WyomingPublic | $82,706 | 29 | $18,000 | Excellent | $16,000 | Good |
| #17 | Colorado School Of MinesPublic | $82,472 | 104 | $23,000 | Excellent | $53,505 | Challenging |
| #18 | University Of IdahoPublic | $82,397 | 33 | $21,982 | Excellent | $21,162 | Good |
| #19 | $82,308 | 57 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,968 | Manageable | |
| #20 | $81,439 | 93 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #21 | University Of UtahPublic | $80,643 | 65 | $19,000 | Excellent | $18,886 | Good |
| #22 | $80,354 | 69 | $17,500 | Excellent | $18,275 | Good | |
| #23 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $79,686 | 114 | $21,221 | Excellent | $28,923 | Manageable |
| #24 | $79,607 | 97 | $20,000 | Excellent | $36,000 | Manageable | |
| #25 | $78,992 | 47 | $18,450 | Excellent | $13,000 | 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 →
