Compare 153 Chemical Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $97,020. Top programs: $122,093+.
The highest-earning Chemical Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $67K earnings gap across 153 programs—from $56K to $122K—the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. Where you study chemical engineering matters far more than where U.S. News says your school ranks overall.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads with Chemical Engineering graduates earning $122K, but the more compelling story is the competition just below it. Vanderbilt ($122K) and UC Berkeley ($121K) run nearly even with MIT, while Louisiana State University—a public school admitting 73% of applicants—produces graduates earning $114K, well above the $97K field average. Prestige doesn't own this leaderboard.
For students financing independently, Rice University sets the standard: graduates borrow just $11K and carry a 1.7% payment burden—an 'Excellent' GPS rating where loan payments are essentially trivial relative to earnings. When parent loans enter the picture, the University of Florida leads on family burden at just 5.8%—also 'Excellent'—on $34K in combined debt against $110K in graduate earnings. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $122,093
Strong outcomes ($114,226) with 73% acceptance rate
1.7% payment burden | Excellent
5.8% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $122,093 | 48 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Good | |
| #2 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $121,641 | 26 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Excellent |
| #3 | $121,027 | 104 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Excellent | |
| #4 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $116,165 | 47 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #5 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | $115,726 | 31 | $16,000 | Excellent | $59,000 | Manageable |
| #6 | $115,423 | 131 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Excellent | |
| #7 | $114,226 | 82 | $20,500 | Excellent | $25,645 | Excellent | |
| #8 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $113,614 | 78 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Good |
| #9 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $113,605 | 25 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Excellent |
| #10 | $113,317 | 53 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Excellent | |
| #11 | $111,073 | 246 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Good | |
| #12 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $111,040 | 34 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Excellent |
| #13 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $110,378 | 44 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Good |
| #14 | University Of HoustonPublic | $110,184 | 74 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Excellent |
| #15 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $109,884 | 28 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Good |
| #16 | University Of FloridaPublic | $109,607 | 106 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Excellent |
| #17 | $109,551 | 75 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Excellent | |
| #18 | $109,537 | 33 | $27,000 | Excellent | $20,004 | Excellent | |
| #19 | $109,405 | 73 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #20 | $108,066 | 79 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Excellent | |
| #21 | $107,843 | 30 | $17,500 | Excellent | $24,585 | Excellent | |
| #22 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $107,767 | 86 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Good |
| #23 | $107,548 | 26 | $20,000 | Excellent | $29,387 | Good | |
| #24 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $106,726 | 93 | $21,000 | Excellent | $43,605 | Good |
| #25 | $106,011 | 71 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
