Studying engineering has always been a popular choice among students, especially in chemical engineering. The USA being a prime destination for higher studies, offers a lot of interesting courses in Chemical Engineering. Many students wish to study in the USA as it has most of the top-ranking universities in the world which offer some of the best programs for Chemical Engineering. It is a highly sought-after course due to its multidiscipline nature which enables diverse career opportunities.
You can work in many areas like nanotechnology, materials, medicine, energy, etc. Chemical Engineering is an engineering field that focuses on studying the operation and design of chemical plants and how to improve production. It is one of those subjects where a student puts to maximum use his/her knowledge of chemistry along with analytical thinking skills. If you decide to study chemical engineering, ensure that you choose a course it which matches your skill set and calibre. For this, you should get in touch with study abroad consultants who will help you streamline your choice of universities in America for chemical engineering.
As a chemical engineering student, you will be studying a lot of subjects like physics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology which will help you in not only exploring various career options but also within the area of research and innovation. The US is one of those countries where studying chemical engineering provides a boost to a student’s career. In this blog, you will learn about some of the most popular chemical engineering programs offered by some of the prestigious American universities.
List of the Top Chemical Engineering Programs in the USA
With a massive campus, experienced faculty, diverse student culture, cutting-edge technology, access to resources, and strong ties with the industry, America has some of the best universities for students to study chemical engineering.
Below are the top-ranking universities in the USA for Chemical Engineering programs.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of California, Berkeley
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of Texas at Austin
- Standford University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Northwestern University
- University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- University of California, Los Angeles
Let us see what the above-mentioned universities have to offer in their chemical engineering programs, which makes it a popular choice amongst students.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
A private land-grant research university, MIT was built in 1861 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ever since its inception, it has been a pioneer in the field of science and modern technology. As per the US News and World Reports, MIT’s Chemical Engineering program is ranked 1st. MIT has an acceptance rate of 4% and its student-faculty ratio is 3:1. To study Chemical Engineering at MIT, your SAT score should be at least 1555 and an average ACT score of 36.
The Chemical Engineering Department of MIT offers three undergraduate programs.
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering is for those students who wish to study the core chemical engineering subjects and other areas like nanotechnology, polymers and colloids, surface science, energy, and the environment, etc.
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical-Biological Engineering teaches about how knowledge of chemical engineering is applied in the fields of biochemical and biomedical technologies.
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering is a flexible program that allows students to study traditional chemical engineering concepts along with studying specific areas in the field like biomedical, energy, computations, environment & sustainability, manufacturing design, materials, or process data analytics as per their interests.
The courses for a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering are set up as a continuation of undergraduate professional training, but at a greater level. The Doctor of Science or Doctor of Philosophy program involves advanced study and research in one of the fields of chemical engineering.
About 58% of MIT undergraduates receive scholarships from the university. The First-Year Grant is given to first-year students with a low financial standing. It consists of $2000 which is equally divided between the fall and spring semesters.
Tuition Fees– $85,960
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Semester-mid-June to late December,
b) Spring Semester- Early February to mid-May
University Website– https://cheme.mit.edu/
2. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
The University of California is a public research university situated in Berkeley in the San Francisco area. It was founded in the year 1858, making it one of the oldest universities in America. Its chemical engineering course is at the 8th position in the world. UC Berkeley has an impressive student-faculty ratio of 19:1. Its acceptance rate is 17%.
The most recognized amongst its colleges is its College of Engineering which has highly-ranked STEM courses. The UC Berkeley College of Chemistry is among the 15 schools of the University of California. Its undergraduate and graduation courses for Chemistry teach students about the development, design, and operation of chemical products and processes.
Students who wish to attain dual degrees must consider UC Berkeley for studying as it provides an option for chemistry undergraduates to earn a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry or to specialize in a materials chemistry concentration. Within the College of Engineering, the College of Chemistry offers 2 majors: chemical engineering/materials science & engineering and chemical engineering/nuclear engineering.
The Cal Alumni Association for $2 million is given to UC Berkeley international undergraduate students, every year. Apart from this, there are several scholarships and fellowships for chemistry students.
i) The Olive Fellowship is offered to undergraduate chemistry students who have performed well in academia and are made to participate in the Laboratory Research Experience (LRE) Program. It covers the entire LRE tuition costs and provides a stipend as well.
ii) The American Chemical Society Scholars Program Scholarship provides up to an amount of $5,000 which is renewable. It is given to students from a lower economic background who wish to pursue a career in chemistry.
Tuition Fee– $78,795
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall semester- Late August to Late December
b) Spring semester- mid-January to mid-May
c) Summer sessions- May to August
University website– https://chemistry.berkeley.edu/cbe
3. Georgia Institute of Technology
Made in 1885 in Atlanta, Georgia, US, the Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university. Its School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) is ranked 5th as per the U.S. News and World Reports’s annual ranking of courses for graduation. It is quite difficult to seek here, as it has an acceptance rate of 21.5%. Its student-faculty ratio is 22:1. To study here, your average ACT score should be at least 33 and a minimum SAT score of 1560.
The basic principles of chemical and biomolecular engineering are taught in the five-year Bachelor’s and Masters program of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. It leads to students being able to identify, form, and solve complex engineering problems. This will help them make informed decisions when they are part of a professional setup, in which they need to come up with effective solutions.
The Georgia Institute of Technology offers many scholarships such as:
- The Stamps President’s Scholarship is a full-ride, four-year scholarship given to the top 1% of first-year students.
- The Liang Prodigy Scholarship is meant for students who have an exceptional academic record and have a keen interest in entrepreneurship and innovation. It covers 80-100% of the total cost of attendance for four years and is given to only 2 students.
Tuition Fee– $ 52,180
Academic Calendar– Depending upon your program, usually the academic year starts from mid-January to mid-August or from mid-January to mid-May.
University website– https://www.chbe.gatech.edu/undergraduate-program
4. University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
Located in Austin, the University of Austin was founded in the year 1883. It has an acceptance rate of 31% and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. If you wish to study chemical engineering at UT Austin, then you must achieve an average of 1365 in SAT and a minimum ACT score of 30. Its chemical engineering course is ranked 13th in the world.
Its undergraduate and graduate chemical engineering programs have been consistently ranked among the top 10 programs in the US as per the U.S. News and World Reports. The chemical engineering degree program has been designed in a manner that will prepare students for professional practice in careers related to chemistry. The faculty has incorporated concepts from basic science, mathematics, engineering science, engineering design, and the liberal arts in their curriculum.
The McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering under the Cockrell School of Engineering, which is a part of UT Austin has awarded scholarships worth $2.5 million. UT Austin’s popular scholarship initiatives for foreign students are:
- Carlos and Clara Quintanilla Scholarship involves an amount of $5000which covers the costs of the spring tuition for an undergraduate international student enrolled in the Cockrell School of Engineering.
- Dr. David Nilsson Scholarship consists of an amount of $2,000 which will cover the costs of the spring tuition. It is given to an undergraduate student who has graduated from a high school in Mexico.
Tuition Fee– $42,778
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Term- Late-August to mid-December
b) Winter Term- mid-Dec to mid-January
c) Spring Term- mid-January to Early May
d) Summer Term- Early June to mid-August
University website– https://che.utexas.edu/
5. Stanford University
Stanford University headquartered in Stanford, California was built in 1885. It is extremely difficult to seek admission here, as it has an acceptance rate of only 4%. Its student-faculty ratio is 6:1. To be a student here, your SAT score should be 1540 and above and an average ACT score of 34.
Stanford’s chemical engineering program is ranked 16th in the world. Apart from offering undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs in chemical engineering, what makes Stanford University stand out is its coterminal degree program. It allows undergraduates from Stanford to study for their master’s degree while completing their bachelor’s degree in the same or different department.
Students studying at Stanford can benefit from the following scholarships:
- Knight Hennessy Scholars education is funded for a period of up to 3 years for any graduate degree at Standford to which you are enrolled, at the time you were selected as a scholar.
- The Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE) Doctoral Fellowships provides financial support to doctoral students, student groups, and department-based projects.
Tuition Fee– $ 87,833
Academic Calendar–
a) Autumn Quarter- Late September to Early December
b) Winter Quarter- Early January to mid-March
c) Spring Quarter- Late March to Early June
d) Summer Quarter- mid-June to mid-August
University Website– https://cheme.stanford.edu/
6. Pennsylvania State University (Penn State University)
The Pennsylvania State University is a public state-related land-grant research institution situated in Pennsylvania, US. it was made in the year 1855. Its chemical engineering course is at the 19th position all across the world. To seek admission here, a student needs to achieve an average SAT score of 1300 and an average ACT score of 29.
The Penn State Department of Chemical Engineering was founded in 1948. It provides bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD courses in chemical engineering. All these programs have been created with the knowledge that students are trained in science and engineering so that they can go on to work in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology consumer products, and microelectronics industries. Students can also explore research, product development, design, and manufacturing.
Penn State University has two scholarship funds that foreign students can avail of: the Special International Grant-in-Aid (SIGIA) and the Penn State Tuition Assistance Grant (PSTAG). These are meant for undergraduate students and involve grants ranging from $100 to $2000.
Tuition Fee– $59,846
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Term- Late August to Early December
b) Spring Term- Early January to Early May
c) Summer Term- mid-May to Early August
University Website– https://www.che.psu.edu/
7. Northwestern University
Established in 1851, Northwestern University is a private research university headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, USA. The university’s chemical engineering programs have been ranked 20th in the world. It has an acceptance rate of 7% and a student-faculty ratio of 6:1, making it easier for students to interact with their professors. To be accepted into the university, a student must have an average ACT score of 34 and a minimum SAT score of 1530.
The McCormick School of Engineering which is a part of Northwestern University provides courses in Chemical Engineering. As part of its Chemical Engineering program, students are made to learn about thermodynamics, transport processes, and chemical kinetics. It aims to train students to handle managerial positions in highly technical industries.
Northwestern University aspires to help its students who need financial assistance. The Albert H. Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded to talented graduate students. Students enrolled in the Master of Engineering program can apply for financial aid depending on the number of courses they have studied in a quarter.
Tuition Fee– $91,236
Academic Calendar– Quarterly-based calendar with terms in fall, winter, spring, and summer.
University Website– https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/chemical-biological/
8. University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign was founded in the year 1867. Its acceptance rate is 45% and the student-faculty ratio is 20:1. According to the U.S. News and World Reports, this university is ranked 9th in the category of ‘Top Public Schools’ in 2025, in the US. To seek admission here, you must obtain an SAT score of 1415 and above and your ACT average score should be 32. Its chemical engineering course is placed 31st in the world.
It chemical engineering undergraduate course is at the 7th position and its graduate course is ranked 12th in the world. The first two years of the university’s bachelor’s course aim to build students’ basic knowledge of chemical engineering. In the third year, they get to know about physical and analytical chemistry. While studying master’s in chemical engineering, you are made to learn about how to use your knowledge and skills gained now in a professional setup and come up with effective solutions.
Some of the merit-based scholarship programs offered by the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign are:
- Illinois Achievement Scholarship for a non-resident freshman student which involves a scholarship amount of $10,000. It is renewable for up to 4 years, provided you achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- The Stamps Scholarships is awarded to incoming freshmen students and covers the full cost of attendance. It is renewable for up to 4 years, provided the student attains a GPA of 3.0.
Tuition Fee– $53,706
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Semester- Late August to Early December
b) Winter Semester- mid-December to mid-January
c) Spring Semester- mid-January to Early May
d) Summer Semester- mid-May to Early June
University Website– https://chbe.illinois.edu/
9. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan was established in the year 1817. It is a public research university situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is quite difficult for a student to be admitted here as the university’s acceptance rate is 18%. Its student-faculty ratio is 15:1. To be a student here, your SAT score should be 1440 and you should have an average ACT score of 33. The University of Michigan is ranked 3rd in the list of ‘Top Public Schools’ in the US.
At the undergraduate level, the course is formed in a way to guide students about the strategies of chemical processes. Its chemical engineering graduate program is ranked 7th in the world, according to the U.S. News and World Reports (2024-2025). In the graduate programs for chemical engineering, students are taught about the material and energy balances in chemical energy applications. It gives students a chance to be involved with research work or design problems.
In the College of Engineering at Michigan, various programs look after the financial needs of students. For instance, the Go Blue Guarantee Scheme is for undergraduates where their tuition and university fees each semester for four years will be paid by the University of Michigan. The Ginsberg Center provides scholarships, grants, and paid internships to students involved in civic engagement projects.
Tuition Fee– $78,329
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Term- Late August to mid-December
b) Winter Term- Early January to Late April
c) Spring-Summer Term- Early May to mid-August
University Website– https://che.engin.umich.edu/
10. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
The University of California is a public land-grant research institution, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, US. It was made in the year 1881. In the U.S. News and World Reports, the University of California has been placed at the 1st position in the list of ‘Top Public Schools’ in the US. It has an acceptance rate of 9%, making the admission process not an easy task. It student-faculty ratio is 19:1.
The UCLA’s Chemical Engineering department came into being in 1983 and it has been ranked 40th in the world. It has recognized internationally for its research and education programs about molecular/ cellular bioengineering, process control, systems engineering and semiconductor manufacturing. In addition to teaching the basics of chemical engineering, the students are taught to come up wth innovative solutions for chemical and biological technology. They are made to incorporate social, ethical, environmental and economic standards into chemical and biomolecular engineering practice. Students are made to work in multidisciplinary teams to tackle critical issues so that they are prepared for future challenges in the field of chemical and biomolecular engineering.
The Amgen Scholars Program under UCLA is a national program which provides students with research opportunities in chemistry. The UCLA College Continuing Student Scholarship initiative is for continuing undergraduates who are in dire need of financial help and have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Tuition Fee– $64,858
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Semester- mid-September to Early December
b) Winter Semester- Early January to mid-March
c) Spring Semester- Late March to Early June
d) Summer Semester- mid-June to Early September
University Website– https://www.chemeng.ucla.edu/
Career Prospects after Studying Chemical Engineering in America
Driven by the huge demand for products developed by chemical engineers, there is always a growing need for more chemical engineers. A degree in chemical engineering provides diverse career opportunities, given its multidisciplinary nature. While deciding to work in a specific field, first try to understand what activities you find interesting, then see if the job you want to do is aligned with your skills and abilities. Then, go on to check which environment would you like to work in. Is it a traditional office set-up, a lab, or a field setting? Do you wish to attain a high-paying job or a stable job or wish to advance more on the professional side?
Choosing a career is a tough decision to make. Take time to decide and based on your interests, strengths, and the nature of the field, you can make an informed decision about which area of chemical engineering you would want to work in.
Some of the high-paid jobs in the field of chemical engineering are:
- A biotechnologist is a scientist who develops products and technologies to solve issues in areas like healthcare and agriculture, using biological organisms and systems.
- Chemical Engineers use principles of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to solve problems related to the production and use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, etc. Their job is to ensure that safe and environmentally friendly practices are being incorporated.
- Environmental Engineers use engineering principles to solve environmental problems and deal with projects related to recycling, disposal of waste, public health, etc.
- Nuclear Engineer designs nuclear equipment, monitors nuclear facility operations, and ensures safety protocols are followed.
- A Product Development Engineer is responsible for launching new products in the market. S/he is involved with the design and development of new items.
Conclusion
Studying chemical engineering from a top-ranking university in the USA is indeed a matter of great pride. Not only do you get to be a part of a program that has been recognized for its excellence, but you also get to learn from the best faculty and instructors. As chemical engineering involves studying more than one discipline, it doesn’t limit your career options to a single field. You get the chance to explore various areas and be involved with research work. Chemical engineering is always in demand, studying it always provides a student with an edge over the others.
Deciding to study in the USA is a major life decision that requires you to have clarity about your choice of course and university and how it will be beneficial for your career. For making such important decisions, it is always better to get in contact with study abroad consultants who will guide you through the admissions process.
While applying to a university in America, as part of your college application, you need to write an SOP, LOR, and an essay that plays an integral role. The above-mentioned universities place a lot of emphasis on not only a candidate’s academic history but also his/her personality and thought process. You should coherently write a SOP, LOR, and an essay with the help of professional SOP writers. We, at Contentholic have been providing one of the best SOP and LOR writing services in India. Do, feel free to reach out to us.
