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 $66,251.

School choice matters significantly: University of California-Berkeley graduates earn $80,718 while San Jose State University graduates earn $55,512 — a $25,206 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$62,832

CA Avg. Earnings

$66,251

National Avg.

168

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

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$80,718

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,767

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 11.7%

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$59,485

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,540

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 27.8%

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$63,005

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,206

Graduates: 52

Acceptance: 8.7%

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$68,305

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,215

Graduates: 99

Acceptance: 73.7%

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$62,409

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,536

Graduates: 158

Acceptance: 41.6%

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$60,546

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $66,458

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 10.0%

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$52,107

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,295

Graduates: 66

Acceptance: 25.6%

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$52,464

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $53,711

Graduates: 149

Acceptance: 24.5%

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$58,221

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $47,727

Graduates: 94

Acceptance: 47.1%

#10

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$49,464

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,484

Graduates: 105

Acceptance: 63.3%

#12

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$55,512

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,999

Graduates: 28

Acceptance: 80.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Chemical Engineering in California?

University of California-Berkeley ranks #1 for Chemical Engineering in California with median graduate earnings of $80,718 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 $66,251 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 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Science $72,889 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388

All colleges in California →

Chemical Engineering in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.