Best Chemical Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 13 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,352 recent graduates. Graduates in Pennsylvania earn $71,780 on average within two years — 8% above the national average of $66,251, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

Schools in PA

$71,780

PA Avg. Earnings

$66,251

National Avg.

168

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Chemical Engineering in Pennsylvania

Public Schools (5)

$71,256

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (8)

$72,108

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $852 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Chemical Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania, Ranked by Earnings

Lafayette College

Easton, PA · Private

$68,379

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,532

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 31.5%

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

$75,432

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $80,722

Graduates: 46

Acceptance: 11.4%

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$74,576

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $66,484

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 5.9%

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public

$73,145

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,502

Graduates: 206

Acceptance: 54.2%

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private

$68,499

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,479

Graduates: 88

Acceptance: 25.1%

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private

$74,200

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,293

Graduates: 60

Acceptance: 29.3%

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private

$76,460

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $71,437

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 32.0%

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$71,661

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,486

Graduates: 90

Acceptance: 77.5%

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Johnstown, PA · Public

$68,422

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $69,207

Graduates: 182

Acceptance: 95.9%

#10

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$68,422

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $69,207

Graduates: 182

Acceptance: 49.7%

#11

Widener University

Chester, PA · Private

$67,660

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,994

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 84.0%

#12

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley

Center Valley, PA · Public

$73,145

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,502

Graduates: 206

Acceptance: 94.2%

#13

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington

Abington, PA · Public

$73,145

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,502

Graduates: 206

Acceptance: 92.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Chemical Engineering in Pennsylvania?

Lafayette College ranks #1 for Chemical Engineering in Pennsylvania with median graduate earnings of $68,379 within two years of graduation. There are 13 schools offering Chemical Engineering programs in the state.

How much do Chemical Engineering graduates earn in Pennsylvania?

Chemical Engineering graduates in Pennsylvania earn an average of $71,780 within two years of graduation. This is 8% above the national average of $66,251 for this major.

What is the hardest Chemical Engineering school to get into in Pennsylvania?

University of Pennsylvania is the most selective Chemical Engineering program in Pennsylvania with an acceptance rate of 5.9%. The average acceptance rate across Chemical Engineering programs in the state is 52.5%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Chemical Engineering in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, private Chemical Engineering programs produce average earnings of $72,108 vs $71,256 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 5 public and 8 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Pennsylvania

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other $75,470 Computer Science $73,789 Industrial Engineering $72,008 Business/Managerial Economics $71,719 Materials Engineering $71,420 Computer Engineering $71,107 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $71,033 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management $67,419

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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.