Compare 286 Chemistry. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $57,070. Top programs: $93,122+.
The highest-earning Chemistry program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $36K earnings gap across 286 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. A regional public can — and does — outperform nationally recognized private universities when you measure what actually matters: what graduates earn.
College of the Holy Cross leads all 286 Chemistry programs with graduates earning $93K — beating the $57K national average by more than $36K. Notably, The College of New Jersey, a public school admitting 62% of applicants, ranks second at $90K. Regional publics competing at the top of a national field is exactly the story prestige-based rankings miss.
For students borrowing independently, University of California-Berkeley stands out: graduates carry just $13,000 in student debt and face a 3.0% payment burden — firmly in the 'Excellent' category. For families factoring in parent loans, California State University-Northridge leads with a 7.0% combined burden, also rated 'Excellent' — the only program in the top 20 where both student and family debt land below 8% of discretionary income.
Highest program earnings: $93,122
Strong outcomes ($90,396) with 62% acceptance
3.0% payment burden | Excellent
7.0% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College Of The Holy CrossPrivate | $93,122 | 32 | $27,000 | Excellent | $39,032 | Manageable |
| #2 | $90,396 | 27 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,611 | Good | |
| #3 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $88,364 | 18 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #4 | New York UniversityPrivate | $86,197 | 29 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Challenging |
| #5 | $84,609 | 37 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,324 | Manageable | |
| #6 | University Of DelawarePublic | $84,428 | 21 | $24,572 | Excellent | $43,000 | Manageable |
| #7 | $82,386 | 126 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Good | |
| #8 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $82,185 | 23 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #9 | $82,185 | 6 | $26,814 | Excellent | $36,545 | Manageable | |
| #10 | University Of OregonPublic | $81,984 | 26 | $20,139 | Excellent | $44,405 | Manageable |
| #11 | $80,287 | 25 | $24,286 | Excellent | $18,070 | Good | |
| #12 | $79,878 | 26 | $13,872 | Excellent | $13,522 | Excellent | |
| #13 | $79,869 | 42 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $79,736 | 39 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Manageable | |
| #15 | Rowan UniversityPublic | $79,695 | 25 | $20,500 | Excellent | $27,445 | Manageable |
| #16 | Willamette UniversityPrivate | $79,592 | 9 | $21,500 | Excellent | $36,571 | Manageable |
| #17 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $79,311 | 43 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable |
| #18 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $79,034 | 104 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Manageable |
| #19 | Boise State UniversityPublic | $78,901 | 39 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,968 | Good |
| #20 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $78,417 | 48 | $21,221 | Excellent | $28,923 | Manageable |
| #21 | $78,373 | 29 | $22,763 | Excellent | $26,243 | Manageable | |
| #22 | William & MaryPublic | $78,270 | 52 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,326 | Manageable |
| #23 | Temple UniversityPublic | $78,052 | 18 | $24,395 | Excellent | $36,495 | Manageable |
| #24 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $77,681 | 40 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Manageable |
| #25 | Le Moyne CollegePrivate | $77,564 | 5 | $23,000 | Excellent | $33,751 | Manageable |
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 →
