Chemical engineering is a course of study that brings together math, chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering all in one package, plus a big dose of technology and product design. Chemical engineers dream up and design processes for producing and transforming materials, bringing their ideas from laboratory to production.
As you consider where you want to study chemical engineering, there are two big things you need to factor in.
First, chemical engineering is a highly technical degree, and you can pursue it in a way that ensures you’ll never have to take a class that isn’t a science, math, or tech-related course. For some students, that is exactly what they want. Science all day every day is their dream! For other students, this would be a nightmare. They want to be able to work their brains in a variety of ways, and so it’s important to them that they go somewhere that offers diverse academic paths. So, when you consider where you want to go to college be sure to look not just at the engineering program, but also at what you can do outside of it.
The other big thing you need to consider is location. Many chemical engineering students will go on to a graduate degree, so that’s something to keep in mind as you pick the where of where you want to go to school. If you don’t want to move between your undergrad and graduate degrees, be sure to go somewhere you’d want to stay for at least six years.
If you know you’re a future engineer but aren’t sure of how you want to get there, send us an email. We help students chart a course to a successful future.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — Cambridge, Massachusetts
MIT is quite possibly the most famous place in the world for engineering. The Chemical Engineering department at MIT sets “the standard for instruction and research in the field.” They offer one of the only chemical-biological engineering programs in the country, which is perfect for students interested in biotech. Unsurprisingly, MIT has had one of the top chemical engineering departments in the country according to college rankings for 34 consecutive years. More than 10% of MIT Chemical Engineering alumni are senior executives at industrial companies, and students access world-class research opportunities through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, or UROP.
Stanford University — Stanford, California
The Chemical Engineering program at Stanford is one of the most competitive programs in the world in one of the most competitive schools in the world. Despite this Stanford doesn’t assume students arrive knowing it all already. They are intensely focused on providing every student with an exceptional foundation in the sciences, preparing students to excel wherever their path may take them next. They also put a lot of focus on the ethical responsibilities of their students to become responsible citizens and changemakers. Students at Stanford also have access to the Coterm program, through which students can apply to pursue a master’s degree in chemical engineering while completing their bachelor’s degree.
Yale University — New Haven, Connecticut
These first few schools are power hitters regardless of major. Yale is another of the best universities in the world. Over 900 undergrads in engineering schoolwork together to take part in game-changing advancements, research, and other opportunities. For those pursuing the degree in chemical engineering, they have an option of an ABET-accredited degree, so whether you intend to take a clear path straight to a graduate degree or want to be able to try out some other things along the way, you’ll have the tools you need to succeed. The program in Chemical and Environmental Engineering provides an even more focused path centered on nanomaterials, energy, combustion, and more.
Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, Maryland
At Johns Hopkins, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering puts a strong foundation, career-mindedness, and making an impact on equal footing. Students are innovating while pursuing their undergraduate degrees, both through work with faculty and their own independent projects. For example, a group of six students developed an improved CPAP max that improved outcomes for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. At Johns Hopkins, chemical engineering principles and emerging technologies meet, and students have access to the concurrent BS/MS program and study abroad.
Washington University in St. Louis — St. Louis, Missouri
At WashU, energy, environment, and chemical engineering go hand-in-hand. There are two chemical engineering tracks, a BS in Chemical Engineering or a BS in Applied Science (Chemical Engineering). Students learn to take scientific discoveries to actualized technologies, and have the option to undertake independent studies and senior thesis projects. A smaller and more intimate program than many of the others on this list with under 150 students, there is also an intense focus on professional ethics and responsibility paired with exceptionalism.
Princeton University — Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is another top school with an exceptional pedigree to land on this list, and their chemical and biological engineering program is hugely impressive. Students are challenged to tackle complex problems with creative solutions, and 29% of students in the program go to graduate school. Student programs like the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, and the National Society of Black Engineers bring chemical engineering students together, and students undertake major research projects working one-on-one with a faculty member to pursue a subject they are passionate about. These opportunities are available as early as sophomore year, which is earlier than many other programs.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) — Pasadena, California
Caltech offers an intensive engineering path that is all engineering nearly all the time. Only about 230 new freshmen are accepted to enter the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering each fall, and every one of those accepted students are exceptional scientists. Caltech sees this as an asset and — if they don’t address it — a liability. Many students who are amazing scientists aren’t natural-born communicators, so a big part of the Caltech experience is ensuring that students can communicate their discoveries, “synthesizing the many subjects studied into the design of a system.” This program is designed for students who want to go directly into the forefront of the workforce, and they have access to interdisciplinary courses in things like geochemistry and environmental chemistry to help them on their way.
University of Notre Dame — Notre Dame, Indiana
Notre Dame offers an impressive chemical engineering program focused on health, energy, and sustainability. Students pursue a broad education in humanities and science paired with deep knowledge of chemical engineering, including an “understanding of the related scientific, social, and moral issues.” Concentrations are available in biomedical engineering, energy, or materials, and there is a pre-med curriculum path. What excites us most, though, is that students are able to take part in innovative research and study abroad including six-week summer programs with the Imperial College, London, and engineering-specific study abroad programs in Dublin, Rome, Berlin, Japan, and more.
University of Texas at Austin — Austin, Texas
The McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering at UTAustin is ranked in the top ten in the United States, and has awarded $2.2 million in scholarships to students. They say that “What starts here changes the world,” and they’re not off the mark. Austin is a hub for technological innovation globally, and the start-up culture there is exciting to say the least. There is a culture of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and students can pursue research in subjects like nanotechnology, biotechnology, environmental engineering, and more. Faculty at UTAustin have received over 95 patents, and courses like “Entrepreneurship in Chemical Engineering” prepare students to take their ideas to market.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Urbana, Illinois
The program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois is housed within the School of Chemical Sciences and tied to the Grainger College of Engineering. The concentration in Chemical Engineering prepares students to go into energy, chemical, food, pharma, and materials industries. Ranked as one of the top chemical engineering undergraduate programs in the country, they prepare students to go into the workforce or continue on to top graduate programs. This plan can be seen in what they emphasize, focusing on “design projects, undergraduate research opportunities, and internships/co-ops that lead to job offers.”
Remember as you choose an engineering path, you need to pick a school that offers the experience you want academically, geographically, and socially. Don’t simply make the first program you fall in love with your #1 choice — think strategically about the whole picture.
If you’re looking to become an engineer and want to chart a course for success, send us an email. We help students like you find, and get into, their perfect fit.