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Chemical engineers will continue to play a critical role in society’s ability to develop the goods, systems, and materials that power the modern world, regardless of how far technology advances.
Chemical engineers’ technological expertise impacts various industries. This includes food, beverages, energy, electronics, medications, resource management, environmental protection, and health and safety protocols.
The Engineering job market is increasingly becoming more competitive, with most leadership and management positions open only to those with advanced degrees. If you already have your Engineering or Chemistry bachelor’s degree, you can pursue an online Master’s in Chemical Engineering and open various upper-level career opportunities.
Overview of the Best Chemical Engineering Programs
| School | Program | Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Standout Program feature/s |
| Stanford University | Master of Science in Chemical Engineering | $1,456 per unit | 12% | Designed as a research-intensive hybrid program |
| University of North Dakota | Master’s in Chemical Engineering Degree | $869.51 per credit hour | 25% | Offers an MEng and MS option |
| North Carolina State University | Master of Science in Chemical Engineering | $636.62 per credit hour | 50% | Known for its inclusive and practice-based learning approach |
| University of Southern California | Master of Science in Chemical Engineering | $2,424 per unit rate | 13% | Offers course-based learning with various advanced elective courses |
| University of Houston | Master of Chemical Engineering | $745 per credit hour | 19% | Enhances technical skills through systems, analysis, advanced process economics, and technical management concepts |
5 Best Online Master’s in Chemical Engineering
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Online/Hybrid Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
| Tuition | $1,456 per unit |
| Credit Hours | 45 |
Stanford University offers one of the most competitive and research-intensive programs in Chemical Engineering. As this program has a very low acceptance rate, you must demonstrate your interest and capability in doing original research, in addition to having high academic records, to have higher chances of consideration.
The Stanford MSCHE program is an online/hybrid program, which means that you will need to attend on-campus classes to complete it. The on-campus courses are mainly research-based.
As a student, you will take various advanced Chemical Engineering courses, including Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Kinetics, and Molecular Thermodynamics. You’ll also be able to customize your learning by selecting electives that closely align with your research interests.
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
Online Master’s in Chemical Engineering
| Tuition | $869.51 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours | 30-32 |
The University of North Dakota offers a Master’s in Chemical Engineering program with a 100% online learning format. You can pursue the Master of Engineering (MEng) or the Non-Thesis Master of Science (MS).
The Chemical Engineering master’s program at UND provides students with the skills to formulate technical hypotheses, enhance problem-solving abilities, conduct practical research, and explore various Chemical Engineering processes and materials. Some of the program’s featured courses include:
- Advanced Transport Phenomena
- Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
- Explosives: Theory and Modeling
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
Online Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
| Tuition | $636.62 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
The online MS in Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University is designed for professionals with diverse backgrounds. The program accepts applicants from relevant industries, such as Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics.
This non-thesis MS program is among the best to offer a practice-based approach to learning. The curriculum combines core Chemical Engineering courses and electives in polymers, environmental science, biotechnology, and electronic materials.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
Online Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
| Tuition | $2,424 per unit rate |
| Credit Hours | 28 |
The online MS in Chemical Engineering at the University of Southern California is widely known for its 28 course-based learning methods. The program’s curriculum builds on students’ previously acquired knowledge.
Among the advanced courses in the program include Chemical Engineering Kinetics and Modeling and Analysis of Chemical Engineering Systems. The program also offers various elective options, allowing students a more interdisciplinary learning experience. Some of the electives offered include:
- Bioengineering
- Control management
- Energy Engineering
- Engineering design
- Environmental engineering
- Materials engineering
University of Houston
Online Master of Chemical Engineering
| Tuition | $745 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
The University of Houston’s online Master of Chemical Engineering degree is a non-thesis program designed for working professionals in related industries who aim to enhance their technical skills and career opportunities. This includes those in plant operations, design, and management sectors.
This program aims to enhance young engineers’ technical skills and introduce them to systems, analysis, advanced process economics, and technical management concepts. Through a comprehensive curriculum and flexible online format, students can enhance their capabilities and position themselves for success in their chosen fields within the Chemical Engineering domain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Master’s in Chemical Engineering?
Chemical Engineering is a diverse field that combines Chemistry with Math, Physics, and Economics to solve practical technical problems in the processing industry. It involves designing, developing, and operating processes that create high-value products from raw materials.
Master’s in Chemical Engineering programs equip students with numerous skills and technical knowledge in IT, Chemistry, Engineering, Biochemistry, and Materials Science. In addition to this, students will also encounter economics, management, safety, and environmental topics.
The above-mentioned courses are essential for success in upper-level positions in the industry. They enhance students’ technical and soft skills and allow them to tackle complex challenges in various sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, food processing, environmental protection, etc.
What Does a Chemical Engineer Do?
Chemical engineering entails an in-depth understanding of Chemistry, enabling professionals to develop and build new, large-scale industrial processes. These engineers are also focused on increasing the effectiveness of existing processes and lessening their negative effects on the environment.
As a chemical engineer, you can pursue positions in various sectors, including:
Research and Development
Chemical engineers in this sector collaborate with scientists and other engineers to create novel processing techniques and turn them into workable plans. As a research and development engineer, you would plan experiments on little “pilot” plants and use computer simulations to make predictions about the design of the larger plant.
Environment
Companies are becoming increasingly conscious of their growing obligation to safeguard the environment against pollution and consider sustainability in their structural projects. Numerous chemical engineers manage wastewater treatment facilities and create brand-new recycling facilities.
Process operation
Chemical engineers are often responsible for overseeing the facilities and operations of process plants. The plant must be run as economically as feasible to maintain predetermined temperatures, pressures, and flows. Process monitoring and troubleshooting are crucial to the plant’s development and everyday operations.
Design and Construction
Chemical engineers create, build, and commission new process plants as well as alter ones that already exist. Process design engineers collaborate with software, instrument, and control engineers to determine a plant’s control strategy that will operate effectively and safely in every situation.
What’s the career and salary outlook for Master’s in Chemical Engineering Graduates?
A master’s degree in Chemical Engineering offers numerous career opportunities.
Data from the Labor Statistics Bureau indicates that the expected employment growth for chemical engineers is 8 percent from 2022 to 2032. With a bachelor’s degree, you can already earn $106,260.
Holding a bachelor’s degree is merely an entry-level requirement in the field. This can potentially pose challenges in the highly competitive Engineering job market, particularly when competing against seasoned and highly specialized chemical engineers.
Consequently, employers often favor candidates with master’s degrees, as they demonstrate advanced skills, specialized knowledge, and a deep comprehension of intricate concepts within the discipline.
A master’s degree will jumpstart your career in managerial roles. Here are a few examples of high-paying Chemical Engineering roles you can pursue after earning a master’s degree:
| Title | Job Description | Estimated Total Pay |
| Engineering Project Manager | Leading, planning, team management, and writing important documents like closing reports. | $144,796 |
| Senior Chemical Engineer | Responsible for overseeing complex projects, leading teams, and providing technical expertise and guidance in their areas of specialization | $140,588 |
| Process Engineer | Specializes in designing, implementing, and optimizing chemical and biochemical processes on an industrial scale. | $108,271 |
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