Best Chemistry Programs in the South (2026)
Updated
Regional list from Best Chemistry Programs in the United States
This page ranks 89 Chemistry programs in the South by median earnings of Chemistry graduates four years after completing. University of Delaware ranks 1st on this list, reporting median earnings of $84,428 for its graduates four years after completing.
Across the listed schools, the figure ranges from $84,428 to $13,702, with a median of $57,788.
Public institutions account for 90% of the programs, with 80 public and 9 private schools represented. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley posts the lowest average net price at $4,831, while The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Delaware · Newark, DE | $84,428 | $17,799 | $10,901 | 70.6% |
| University of Delaware reports median earnings of $84,428 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, the highest on this list. | |||||
| 2 | University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD | $79,869 | $15,678 | $2,962 | 44.8% |
| An average net price of $15,678 coincides with median earnings of $79,869 for Chemistry graduates at University of Maryland-College Park four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · Knoxville, TN | $79,736 | $18,976 | $10,029 | 41.6% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville admits 42% of applicants and shows median earnings of $79,736 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | Emory University · Atlanta, GA | $79,034 | $22,585 | $7,363 | 10.7% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $18,250 in federal loans at Emory University, a private nonprofit university in Atlanta. | |||||
| 5 | William & Mary · Williamsburg, VA | $78,270 | $19,096 | $3,106 | 34.1% |
| Ranking 197th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, William & Mary reports median earnings of $78,270 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | George Mason University · Fairfax, VA | $77,681 | $17,915 | $11,942 | 87.5% |
| George Mason University posts an admission rate of 87% and an average net price of $17,915. | |||||
| 7 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC | $76,978 | $17,303 | $6,382 | 41.7% |
| With 37 graduates in the earnings cohort, North Carolina State University at Raleigh reports median earnings of $76,978 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Towson University · Towson, MD | $76,296 | $17,413 | $6,962 | 82.0% |
| Towson University carries an average net price of $6,962 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 114th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 9 | James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA | $74,631 | $23,322 | $11,444 | 71.5% |
| James Madison University shows median earnings of $74,631 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing and a school-wide median federal debt of $20,093 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 10 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $73,549 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
| Admitting 93% of applicants, University of Kentucky reports median earnings of $73,549 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $73,395 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ranks 112th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $24,953. | |||||
| 12 | University of North Alabama · Florence, AL | $72,885 | $12,170 | $9,741 | 87.3% |
| University of North Alabama reports median earnings of $72,885 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 11 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 13 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $72,025 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
| The University of Texas at Austin reports median earnings of $72,025 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $19,857. | |||||
| 14 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga · Chattanooga, TN | $71,634 | $14,265 | $9,876 | 81.1% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga left with a median of $19,500 in federal loans, and the school's Chemistry program posts median earnings of $71,634 four years after completing. | |||||
| 15 | East Carolina University · Greenville, NC | $71,445 | $15,739 | $10,046 | 89.2% |
| East Carolina University admits 89% of applicants and ranks 180th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 16 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $70,673 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
| Texas Tech University ranks 16th on this list, with median earnings of $70,673 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $19,070. | |||||
| 17 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $69,662 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| With a 57% admission rate, Texas A&M University-College Station reports median earnings of $69,662 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $68,504 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| University of Houston ranks 13th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Chemistry graduates earn a median of $68,504 four years after completing. | |||||
| 19 | University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA | $68,174 | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
| An average net price of $8,174 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $68,174 for Chemistry graduates of University of Virginia-Main Campus four years after completing. | |||||
| 20 | Clemson University · Clemson, SC | $67,996 | $22,253 | $13,607 | 38.3% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Clemson University left with a median of $21,500 in federal loans, and the school reports median earnings of $67,996 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 21 | Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA | $67,439 | $23,433 | $17,512 | 92.6% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University admits 93% of applicants and reports median earnings of $67,439 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 22 | Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL | $66,724 | $11,297 | $5,938 | 24.2% |
| Florida State University reports an average net price of $11,297, and its Chemistry graduates earn a median of $66,724 four years after completing. | |||||
| 23 | Christopher Newport University · Newport News, VA | $66,171 | $23,015 | $12,461 | 86.0% |
| Christopher Newport University ranks 922nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Chemistry graduates earn a median of $66,171 four years after completing. | |||||
| 24 | University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington, NC | $65,982 | $20,109 | $10,778 | 64.2% |
| With a 64% admission rate, University of North Carolina Wilmington reports median earnings of $65,982 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 25 | Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA | $65,629 | $15,267 | $12,162 | 87.9% |
| Georgia Southern University reports median earnings of $65,629 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 34 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 26 | Baylor University · Waco, TX | $65,293 | $41,104 | $22,024 | 51.3% |
| A private nonprofit university in Waco, Baylor University carries an average net price of $41,104 and an admission rate of 51%. | |||||
| 27 | Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY | $65,038 | $8,191 | $2,603 | 67.7% |
| Northern Kentucky University ranks 27th on this list and posts an average net price of $2,603 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 28 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC | $64,981 | $11,655 | $2,004 | 15.3% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $14,000 in federal loans at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which admits 15% of applicants. | |||||
| 29 | University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS | $63,856 | $21,708 | $19,867 | 99.1% |
| University of Southern Mississippi ranks 479th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports 17 graduates in the earnings cohort for Chemistry. | |||||
| 30 | The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX | $63,766 | $13,951 | $11,893 | 79.9% |
| The University of Texas at Arlington posts median earnings of $63,766 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $13,951. | |||||
| 31 | The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, TX | $63,472 | $18,267 | $12,814 | 65.1% |
| With an admission rate of 65%, The University of Texas at Dallas reports median earnings of $63,472 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 32 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Pembroke, NC | $63,288 | $10,260 | $7,919 | 93.3% |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke carries an average net price of $7,919 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 455th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 33 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $61,473 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
| Median earnings of $61,473 four years after completing coincide with an average net price of $15,649 at University of North Texas. | |||||
| 34 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $60,978 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $21,500 in federal loans at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, which ranks 34th on this list. | |||||
| 35 | Mercer University · Macon, GA | $60,696 | $23,847 | $19,817 | 68.9% |
| A private nonprofit university in Macon, Mercer University reports median earnings of $60,696 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 36 | Winthrop University · Rock Hill, SC | $60,324 | $15,343 | $12,608 | 79.3% |
| Winthrop University admits 79% of applicants and carries an average net price of $12,608 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 37 | University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL | $60,318 | $18,749 | $16,172 | 88.2% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham reports median earnings of $60,318 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 52 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 38 | University of North Georgia · Dahlonega, GA | $60,064 | $9,823 | $6,981 | 67.9% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $17,750 in federal loans at University of North Georgia, which ranks 38th on this list. | |||||
| 39 | University of North Carolina Asheville · Asheville, NC | $60,021 | $12,250 | $8,219 | 91.9% |
| University of North Carolina Asheville posts an admission rate of 92% and ranks 880th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 40 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $59,942 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
| An average net price of $9,812 coincides with median earnings of $59,942 for Chemistry graduates of University of South Florida four years after completing. | |||||
| 41 | Louisiana Tech University · Ruston, LA | $58,492 | $11,864 | $7,676 | 86.4% |
| Louisiana Tech University ranks 41st on this list, with an average net price of $7,676 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 42 | University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia, SC | $58,462 | $22,811 | $12,634 | 60.2% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia reports median earnings of $58,462 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 25 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 43 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $58,396 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| Texas State University admits 89% of applicants and ranks 40th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 44 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $58,329 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% |
| Appalachian State University reports median earnings of $58,329 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, alongside a school-wide median federal debt of $20,231. | |||||
| 45 | Florida International University · Miami, FL | $57,788 | $9,288 | $7,003 | 54.7% |
| Florida International University ranks 45th on this list, with an average net price of $7,003 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 46 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $57,652 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio reports median earnings of $57,652 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 24 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 47 | Sam Houston State University · Huntsville, TX | $57,410 | $16,404 | $12,474 | 90.3% |
| Sam Houston State University admits 90% of applicants and ranks 117th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 48 | University of Central Florida · Orlando, FL | $57,313 | $10,411 | $5,816 | 40.1% |
| University of Central Florida reports median earnings of $57,313 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $10,411. | |||||
| 49 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX | $57,100 | $4,831 | $3,785 | 94.2% |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reports median earnings of $57,100 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $4,831. | |||||
| 50 | Tennessee Technological University · Cookeville, TN | $57,088 | $14,246 | $9,815 | 76.1% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Tennessee Technological University left with a median of $15,650 in federal loans, and the school's Chemistry completers earned a median of $57,088 four years after completing. | |||||
| 51 | Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, GA | $56,784 | $15,048 | $12,235 | 69.2% |
| Kennesaw State University ranks 24th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an admission rate of 69%. | |||||
| 52 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $56,179 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| With an admission rate of 24%, University of Florida posts median earnings of $56,179 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 53 | University of North Florida · Jacksonville, FL | $55,478 | $10,154 | $6,647 | 53.2% |
| University of North Florida reports an average net price of $6,647 for families earning under $30,000, and its Chemistry graduates earned a median of $55,478 four years after completing. | |||||
| 54 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | $55,467 | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
| An average net price of $14,319 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $55,467 for Chemistry graduates at University of Arkansas four years after completing. | |||||
| 55 | University of Central Arkansas · Conway, AR | $53,755 | $16,511 | $14,656 | 89.5% |
| University of Central Arkansas admits 89% of applicants and reports median federal debt of $20,346 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 56 | University of West Georgia · Carrollton, GA | $53,575 | $12,786 | $10,339 | 51.6% |
| Median earnings of $53,575 for Chemistry graduates four years after completing combine with an average net price of $12,786 at University of West Georgia. | |||||
| 57 | Georgia State University · Atlanta, GA | $53,430 | $15,931 | $13,787 | 55.4% |
| Georgia State University ranks 44th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Chemistry graduates earned a median of $53,430 four years after completing. | |||||
| 58 | Eastern Kentucky University · Richmond, KY | $52,216 | $11,040 | $8,591 | 77.6% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Eastern Kentucky University left with a median of $22,500 in federal loans, alongside an average net price of $8,591 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 59 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $51,213 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% |
| Western Carolina University reports an admission rate of 82% and median earnings of $51,213 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 60 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College · Baton Rouge, LA | $50,856 | $19,151 | $13,056 | 73.3% |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranks 60th on this list, with an average net price of $13,056 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 61 | Xavier University of Louisiana · New Orleans, LA | $48,508 | $17,127 | $14,405 | 69.0% |
| Xavier University of Louisiana, a private nonprofit university in New Orleans, reports median earnings of $48,508 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 62 | University of Memphis · Memphis, TN | $46,490 | $12,397 | $10,607 | 72.0% |
| University of Memphis ranks 62nd on this list and carries an average net price of $12,397. | |||||
| 63 | George Washington University · Washington, DC | $46,087 | $36,586 | $17,440 | 47.1% |
| With an admission rate of 47%, George Washington University posts median earnings of $46,087 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 64 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi, TX | $45,696 | $15,225 | $11,445 | 88.6% |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi ranks 310th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $45,696 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 65 | University of Houston-Downtown · Houston, TX | $44,170 | $10,542 | $9,439 | 90.0% |
| University of Houston-Downtown shows an average net price of $10,542 alongside median earnings of $44,170 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 66 | West Virginia University · Morgantown, WV | $43,314 | $15,634 | $9,450 | 89.0% |
| West Virginia University reports median earnings of $43,314 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $9,450 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 67 | University of Louisville · Louisville, KY | $42,682 | $17,988 | $15,138 | 79.4% |
| University of Louisville admits 79% of applicants and reports median earnings of $42,682 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 68 | Salisbury University · Salisbury, MD | $41,565 | $17,743 | $6,743 | 87.5% |
| Salisbury University carries an average net price of $6,743 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 68th on this list. | |||||
| 69 | Wake Forest University · Winston-Salem, NC | $41,025 | $28,719 | $6,525 | 21.7% |
| Wake Forest University reports median earnings of $41,025 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 22%. | |||||
| 70 | Wofford College · Spartanburg, SC | $40,485 | $18,732 | $8,493 | 51.9% |
| Wofford College ranks 616th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $18,732. | |||||
| 71 | Radford University · Radford, VA | $37,568 | $14,578 | $8,965 | 89.5% |
| Radford University reports median earnings of $37,568 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $8,965 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 72 | Middle Tennessee State University · Murfreesboro, TN | $35,420 | $13,359 | $9,289 | 69.1% |
| Middle Tennessee State University admits 69% of applicants and reports median earnings of $35,420 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 73 | Valdosta State University · Valdosta, GA | $35,420 | $10,945 | $9,378 | 72.3% |
| Valdosta State University reports median earnings of $35,420 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 8 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 74 | University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK | $34,526 | $18,309 | $15,275 | 78.1% |
| University of Central Oklahoma admits 78% of applicants and shows an average net price of $18,309. | |||||
| 75 | Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton, FL | $33,993 | $8,752 | $3,022 | 66.1% |
| Florida Atlantic University ranks 100th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and lists median earnings of $33,993 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 76 | Texas Southern University · Houston, TX | $32,569 | $16,590 | $16,437 | 96.9% |
| Texas Southern University has an average net price of $16,437 for families earning under $30,000 alongside a 97% admission rate. | |||||
| 77 | College of Charleston · Charleston, SC | $32,284 | $18,960 | $12,133 | 60.0% |
| College of Charleston reports median earnings of $32,284 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing and ranks 650th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 78 | East Tennessee State University · Johnson City, TN | $29,685 | $15,983 | $12,433 | 86.2% |
| East Tennessee State University admits 86% of applicants and reports median earnings of $29,685 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 79 | University of West Florida · Pensacola, FL | $28,598 | $9,364 | $4,815 | 58.2% |
| University of West Florida ranks 164th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $9,364. | |||||
| 80 | University of Georgia · Athens, GA | $27,488 | $13,936 | $8,085 | 37.7% |
| An average net price of $8,085 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $27,488 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing are reported by University of Georgia. | |||||
| 81 | Marshall University · Huntington, WV | $27,439 | $7,502 | $4,648 | 95.7% |
| Marshall University admits 96% of applicants and lists an average net price of $7,502. | |||||
| 82 | Duke University · Durham, NC | $27,216 | $29,612 | $735 | 5.7% |
| Duke University reports median earnings of $27,216 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing and ranks 78th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 83 | Austin Peay State University · Clarksville, TN | $26,585 | $9,735 | $7,588 | 96.4% |
| Austin Peay State University has an average net price of $7,588 for families earning under $30,000 and admits 96% of applicants. | |||||
| 84 | Augusta University · Augusta, GA | $26,353 | $13,787 | $11,064 | 86.4% |
| Augusta University reports median earnings of $26,353 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 16 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 85 | Delaware State University · Dover, DE | $26,353 | $13,910 | $11,135 | 46.6% |
| Delaware State University reports median earnings of $26,353 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing, with 11 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 86 | Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY | $23,761 | $10,990 | $7,087 | 93.9% |
| Western Kentucky University admits 94% of applicants and carries an average net price of $10,990. | |||||
| 87 | Jacksonville State University · Jacksonville, AL | $21,508 | $14,279 | $12,472 | 77.7% |
| Jacksonville State University ranks 303rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $12,472 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 88 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $16,478 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus lists 59 graduates in its Chemistry earnings cohort and reports median earnings of $16,478 four years after completing. | |||||
| 89 | University of Miami · Coral Gables, FL | $13,702 | $37,244 | $15,978 | 18.9% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Coral Gables, University of Miami posts an admission rate of 19% and median earnings of $13,702 for its Chemistry graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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 South appear. The figure is the median for federally aided Chemistry completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 28 of the 89 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. University of Delaware leads with $84,428, a gap of $4,559 above University of Maryland-College Park at $79,869. The spread from University of Delaware to the bottom of the list is $70,726.
Related rankings
- Best Chemistry Programs in the United States
- Best Colleges in the South
- Best Chemistry Programs in the Midwest
- Best Chemistry Programs in the Northeast
- Best Chemistry Programs in the West
- Physical Sciences Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
- Physical Sciences Colleges in the South