Best Chemistry Programs in the Midwest (2026)
Updated
Part of Best Physical Sciences Colleges in the Midwest
Regional list from Best Chemistry Programs in the United States
This page ranks 70 Chemistry programs in the Midwest by median earnings of Chemistry graduates four years after completing, highest first. Indiana State University leads the list with median earnings of $73,623 for its graduates four years after completing.
Across the listed schools, the median figure is $60,987, with a spread of $45,025 from $73,623 to $28,598. For 28 of the 70 programs the earnings figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 76% of the list, with 53 public and 17 private nonprofit schools represented. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the strongest showing in the group.
University of Minnesota-Morris posts the lowest average net price at $8,837, while Southern Illinois University Edwardsville reports the highest admission rate, admitting 98% of applicants.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN | $73,623 | $10,873 | $6,455 | 80.8% |
| Indiana State University reports $73,623 in median earnings for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 16 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 2 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus · Cincinnati, OH | $72,302 | $25,648 | $17,974 | 85.3% |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ranks 2nd on this list and shows an average net price of $25,648 alongside an 85% admission rate. | |||||
| 3 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · Minneapolis, MN | $71,620 | $16,778 | $6,642 | 79.8% |
| A public university in Minneapolis, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities carries a median federal debt of $19,500 among Chemistry completers who borrowed and sits 107th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 4 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | $71,559 | $17,339 | $4,885 | 60.6% |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus posts median earnings of $71,559 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $4,885 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 5 | Baldwin Wallace University · Berea, OH | $71,252 | $27,603 | $21,296 | 75.7% |
| Baldwin Wallace University carries a school-wide median federal debt of $27,000 across all of its borrowers who completed and reports $71,252 in median earnings for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $70,611 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
| Grand Valley State University admits 83% of applicants and reports $70,611 in median earnings for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 7 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville · Edwardsville, IL | $70,541 | $14,889 | $8,483 | 97.5% |
| With a 98% admission rate, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranks 7th on this list and shows an average net price of $14,889. | |||||
| 8 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL | $70,197 | $14,355 | $2,038 | 42.4% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports $70,197 in median earnings for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, from a cohort of 114 graduates. | |||||
| 9 | Western Illinois University · Macomb, IL | $68,249 | $12,937 | $6,941 | 71.2% |
| Western Illinois University sits 561st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries a median federal debt of $25,314 among Chemistry completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 10 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $67,767 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 79.6% |
| Eastern Michigan University posts an average net price of $13,250 for families earning under $30,000 and reports $67,767 in median earnings for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN | $67,680 | $14,600 | $5,098 | 49.9% |
| Purdue University-Main Campus admits 50% of applicants and ranks 87th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 12 | Wichita State University · Wichita, KS | $67,475 | $13,194 | $9,734 | 94.0% |
| Wichita State University reports $67,475 in median earnings for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with a 94% admission rate. | |||||
| 13 | Lewis University · Romeoville, IL | $67,006 | $17,028 | $10,382 | 71.3% |
| Lewis University, a private nonprofit university in Romeoville, reports median earnings of $67,006 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 10 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 14 | University of Minnesota-Duluth · Duluth, MN | $66,529 | $18,743 | $7,256 | 88.8% |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth ranks 14th on this list and shows a median federal debt of $21,242 among Chemistry completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 15 | Iowa State University · Ames, IA | $66,486 | $18,589 | $10,582 | 88.7% |
| Iowa State University posts median earnings of $66,486 four years after completing and an average net price of $18,589. | |||||
| 16 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire · Eau Claire, WI | $66,246 | $16,550 | $10,270 | 82.3% |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire admits 82% of applicants and reports median earnings of $66,246 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 17 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $65,983 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
| Michigan State University ranks 69th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Chemistry graduates earned a median of $65,983 four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | Kent State University at Kent · Kent, OH | $65,810 | $20,787 | $15,280 | 86.3% |
| Kent State University at Kent reports an average net price of $20,787 and median earnings of $65,810 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 19 | Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL | $65,611 | $13,391 | $10,126 | 69.8% |
| Northern Illinois University ranks 19th on this list, with a median federal debt of $22,750 among Chemistry completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 20 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI | $65,591 | $13,138 | $1,043 | 15.6% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor admits 16% of applicants and reports an average net price of $1,043 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 21 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville · Platteville, WI | $65,271 | $16,032 | $9,009 | 89.4% |
| Median earnings of $65,271 four years after completing coincide with an average net price of $16,032 at University of Wisconsin-Platteville. | |||||
| 22 | Winona State University · Winona, MN | $64,760 | $17,503 | $10,224 | 75.5% |
| Winona State University reports median earnings of $64,760 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $17,503. | |||||
| 23 | University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI | $64,734 | $17,354 | $4,200 | 45.2% |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison ranks 23rd on this list, with a median federal debt of $22,250 among Chemistry completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 24 | University of Illinois Chicago · Chicago, IL | $64,442 | $10,974 | $7,529 | 77.4% |
| An admission rate of 77% and median earnings of $64,442 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing are reported by University of Illinois Chicago. | |||||
| 25 | Kalamazoo College · Kalamazoo, MI | $63,824 | $19,072 | $12,019 | 75.3% |
| Kalamazoo College reports median earnings of $63,824 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $19,072. | |||||
| 26 | Ball State University · Muncie, IN | $63,764 | $14,940 | $7,834 | 85.5% |
| Ball State University ranks 26th on this list and shows a median federal debt of $25,000 among Chemistry completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 27 | Cleveland State University · Cleveland, OH | $63,541 | $14,764 | $11,958 | 91.3% |
| With an admission rate of 91%, Cleveland State University posts median earnings of $63,541 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 28 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $63,079 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
| Wayne State University ranks 80th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $12,766. | |||||
| 29 | University of Akron Main Campus · Akron, OH | $62,661 | $13,946 | $10,413 | 59.7% |
| University of Akron Main Campus records median earnings of $62,661 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 5 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 30 | Valparaiso University · Valparaiso, IN | $62,245 | $18,578 | $11,043 | 89.4% |
| A private nonprofit university in Valparaiso, Valparaiso University shows a median federal debt of $27,000 among Chemistry completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 31 | Illinois State University · Normal, IL | $62,220 | $19,398 | $11,568 | 88.2% |
| Illinois State University ranks 31st on this list and reports an average net price of $11,568 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 32 | University of Missouri-Columbia · Columbia, MO | $61,884 | $20,268 | $13,841 | 78.5% |
| University of Missouri-Columbia posts median earnings of $61,884 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 78%. | |||||
| 33 | Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN | $61,687 | $11,668 | $5,701 | 76.4% |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis reports an average net price of $11,668 and a median federal debt of $20,743 among Chemistry completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 34 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · Milwaukee, WI | $61,089 | $15,014 | $10,329 | 90.7% |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ranks 214th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows median earnings of $61,089 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 35 | Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN | $61,024 | $16,264 | $6,324 | 78.2% |
| Indiana University-Bloomington reports an average net price of $6,324 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 96th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 36 | University of Missouri-Kansas City · Kansas City, MO | $60,950 | $13,310 | $10,576 | 72.2% |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City posts median earnings of $60,950 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 76 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 37 | University of Iowa · Iowa City, IA | $60,227 | $22,531 | $15,316 | 83.6% |
| With median earnings of $60,227 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, University of Iowa ranks 37th on this list. | |||||
| 38 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $60,065 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 81.0% |
| Bowling Green State University-Main Campus admits 81% of applicants and its Chemistry completers who borrowed left with a median of $24,250 in federal loans. | |||||
| 39 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater · Whitewater, WI | $58,170 | $14,158 | $8,440 | 85.7% |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ranks 39th on this list and posts an average net price of $8,440 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 40 | Missouri State University-Springfield · Springfield, MO | $56,984 | $17,613 | $13,718 | 90.5% |
| Missouri State University-Springfield holds a rank of 589th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $17,613. | |||||
| 41 | Wright State University-Main Campus · Dayton, OH | $55,165 | $15,415 | $11,952 | 96.3% |
| Wright State University-Main Campus has a school-wide median federal debt of $22,750 across all of its borrowers who completed, alongside an admission rate of 96%. | |||||
| 42 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $54,576 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 85.0% |
| Ohio University-Main Campus reports median earnings of $54,576 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, alongside a median federal debt of $24,500 among Chemistry completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 43 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $49,683 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
| Western Michigan University ranks 43rd on this list and posts an average net price of $5,263 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 44 | Lindenwood University · Saint Charles, MO | $46,673 | $19,638 | $15,678 | 56.8% |
| Lindenwood University, a private nonprofit university in Saint Charles, admits 57% of applicants and reports median earnings of $46,673 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 45 | Missouri University of Science and Technology · Rolla, MO | $46,478 | $16,298 | $10,912 | 72.6% |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology holds a rank of 136th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $16,298. | |||||
| 46 | Northwestern University · Evanston, IL | $44,971 | $29,167 | $1,764 | 7.7% |
| Northwestern University admits 8% of applicants and posts an average net price of $1,764 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 47 | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse · La Crosse, WI | $44,021 | $16,210 | $8,224 | 75.5% |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse reports median earnings of $44,021 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 15 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 48 | Hamline University · Saint Paul, MN | $43,798 | $20,744 | $15,371 | 87.6% |
| Hamline University ranks 48th on this list and holds a rank of 736th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 49 | DePaul University · Chicago, IL | $43,575 | $30,902 | $27,359 | 75.9% |
| DePaul University reports median earnings of $43,575 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 9 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 50 | John Carroll University · University Heights, OH | $42,682 | $28,746 | $19,945 | 80.9% |
| An admission rate of 81% and an average net price of $28,746 accompany John Carroll University's 50th position on this list. | |||||
| 51 | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay · Green Bay, WI | $42,123 | $13,369 | $9,144 | 88.6% |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a public university in Green Bay, ranks 51st on this list and shows median earnings of $42,123 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 52 | Michigan Technological University · Houghton, MI | $41,937 | $14,182 | $2,045 | 92.4% |
| Michigan Technological University posts an average net price of $2,045 for families earning under $30,000 alongside its 52nd ranking on this page. | |||||
| 53 | University of Kansas · Lawrence, KS | $41,193 | $18,059 | $12,544 | 93.5% |
| With 24 graduates in the earnings cohort, University of Kansas records median earnings of $41,193 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 54 | University of Missouri-St Louis · Saint Louis, MO | $40,896 | $15,071 | $13,031 | 62.7% |
| University of Missouri-St Louis ranks 483rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and holds an admission rate of 63%. | |||||
| 55 | Beloit College · Beloit, WI | $40,821 | $21,526 | $15,176 | 63.0% |
| Beloit College reports median earnings of $40,821 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $21,526. | |||||
| 56 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls · River Falls, WI | $40,768 | $14,054 | $8,472 | 81.7% |
| An admission rate of 82% and an average net price of $8,472 for families earning under $30,000 are reported by University of Wisconsin-River Falls, which ranks 56th on this list. | |||||
| 57 | Saginaw Valley State University · University Center, MI | $40,641 | $10,775 | $9,844 | 72.1% |
| Saginaw Valley State University ranks 360th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $40,641 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 58 | St Olaf College · Northfield, MN | $38,829 | $23,874 | $10,404 | 48.3% |
| St Olaf College admits 48% of applicants and reports median earnings of $38,829 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 59 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL | $38,289 | $13,297 | $9,415 | 86.9% |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale posts an average net price of $13,297 and ranks 243rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 60 | Northern Michigan University · Marquette, MI | $38,289 | $14,085 | $7,697 | 84.0% |
| With 15 graduates in the earnings cohort, Northern Michigan University reports median earnings of $38,289 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 61 | Truman State University · Kirksville, MO | $37,208 | $12,780 | $6,046 | 83.8% |
| Truman State University reports median earnings of $37,208 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 14 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 62 | Northwest Missouri State University · Maryville, MO | $37,208 | $16,244 | $13,176 | 86.1% |
| Northwest Missouri State University admits 86% of applicants and carries an average net price of $16,244. | |||||
| 63 | Fort Hays State University · Hays, KS | $36,668 | $12,569 | $7,661 | 90.3% |
| Fort Hays State University ranks 550th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $7,661 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 64 | Carleton College · Northfield, MN | $36,141 | $25,407 | $7,881 | 20.4% |
| Carleton College, a private nonprofit college in Northfield, posts median earnings of $36,141 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 65 | Concordia College at Moorhead · Moorhead, MN | $34,704 | $24,902 | $20,950 | 62.7% |
| Concordia College at Moorhead has an admission rate of 63% and an average net price of $24,902. | |||||
| 66 | The College of Wooster · Wooster, OH | $33,993 | $23,458 | $12,512 | 59.5% |
| The College of Wooster reports median earnings of $33,993 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $12,512 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 67 | University of Minnesota-Morris · Morris, MN | $32,569 | $8,837 | $1,694 | 74.9% |
| University of Minnesota-Morris carries an average net price of $8,837 and ranks 804th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 68 | Macalester College · Saint Paul, MN | $29,685 | $32,149 | $13,772 | 28.5% |
| Macalester College admits 29% of applicants and reports median earnings of $29,685 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 69 | Hope College · Holland, MI | $29,685 | $27,182 | $17,606 | 79.2% |
| Hope College ranks 1255th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $27,182. | |||||
| 70 | Creighton University · Omaha, NE | $28,598 | $31,568 | $20,472 | 79.8% |
| Creighton University reports median earnings of $28,598 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 25 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Chemistry graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the Midwest appear. The figures are medians for federally aided completers of the program who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 28 of the 70 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The spread from Indiana State University to the bottom of the list is $45,025, with a gap of $1,321 between Indiana State University and University of Cincinnati-Main Campus.
Related rankings
- Best Chemistry Programs in the United States
- Best Colleges in the Midwest
- Best Chemistry Programs in the Northeast
- Best Chemistry Programs in the South
- Best Chemistry Programs in the West
- Best Physical Sciences Colleges in the Midwest
- Physical Sciences Colleges in the Midwest for Social Mobility