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Best Chemical Engineering Schools in California

California has 12 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 882 recent graduates. Graduates earn $62,832 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $66,408.

School choice matters significantly: Stanford University graduates earn $91,744 while University of California-Riverside graduates earn $49,464 — a $42,280 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

12
Schools in CA
$62,832
CA Avg. Earnings
$66,408
National Avg.
152
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Chemical Engineering in California

Public Schools (10)
$60,169
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (2)
$76,145
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $15,976 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Chemical Engineering Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

#1
S

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private

$91,744
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 3.9%
#2
U

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$80,718
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $70,767
Graduates: 56
Acceptance: 11.7%
#3
C

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$68,305
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $64,215
Graduates: 99
Acceptance: 73.7%
#4
U

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$63,005
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $56,206
Graduates: 52
Acceptance: 8.7%
#5
U

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$62,409
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $57,536
Graduates: 158
Acceptance: 41.6%
#6
U

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$60,546
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $66,458
Graduates: 35
Acceptance: 10.0%
#7
U

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$59,485
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $61,540
Graduates: 40
Acceptance: 27.8%
#8
C

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$58,221
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $47,727
Graduates: 94
Acceptance: 47.1%
#9
S

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$55,512
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $59,999
Graduates: 28
Acceptance: 80.2%
#10
U

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$52,464
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $53,711
Graduates: 149
Acceptance: 24.5%
#11
U

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $55,295
Graduates: 66
Acceptance: 25.6%
#12
U

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$49,464
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $44,484
Graduates: 105
Acceptance: 63.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Chemical Engineering in California?
Stanford University ranks #1 for Chemical Engineering in California with median graduate earnings of $91,744 within two years of graduation. There are 12 schools offering Chemical Engineering programs in the state.
How much do Chemical Engineering graduates earn in California?
Chemical Engineering graduates in California earn an average of $62,832 within two years of graduation. This is 5% below the national average of $66,408 for this major.
What is the hardest Chemical Engineering school to get into in California?
Stanford University is the most selective Chemical Engineering program in California with an acceptance rate of 3.9%. The average acceptance rate across Chemical Engineering programs in the state is 34.8%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Chemical Engineering in California?
In California, private Chemical Engineering programs produce average earnings of $76,145 vs $60,169 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 2 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Computer Science $72,889
All colleges in California →

Chemical Engineering in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.