Top Chemistry Graduate Schools (Top 20 List)

The graduate programs in chemistry at Colorado State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) are among the most highly regarded programs in the United States. Each of these universities has established itself as a leader in both research and education, offering advanced programs in chemistry that provide students with unparalleled opportunities for scholarly discovery, interdisciplinary research, and professional development. These institutions boast distinguished faculty members, extensive research facilities, and a commitment to innovation, making them prime choices for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in the chemical sciences.

The Department of Chemistry at Colorado State University is one of the most well-respected programs in the country. According to the 2011 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools, Colorado State University's graduate chemistry program is ranked as the 45th best program in the nation. This recognition highlights the department’s strength in research, education, and its ability to foster cutting-edge scientific discovery. The Department of Chemistry at Colorado State is not only a leader in teaching but also designated as a Program of Research and Scholarly Excellence, emphasizing its commitment to advancing science and innovation through research. This distinction underscores the department's reputation as a hub for groundbreaking research and its focus on creating opportunities for students to engage in interdisciplinary inquiry.

The graduate program at Colorado State offers Ph.D. opportunities in a variety of fields that represent the breadth and depth of modern chemistry. These fields include analytical chemistry, chemistry education, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and materials chemistry. The department's interdisciplinary approach allows students to tailor their research to their individual interests while benefiting from the collaborative environment and resources of the university. Analytical chemistry provides students the tools to quantify and examine chemical compounds; inorganic and organic chemistry offer insights into the synthesis and reactivity of a wide variety of compounds; physical chemistry bridges fundamental chemical principles with physics; and materials chemistry focuses on the discovery and development of new substances with practical technological applications. This diversity of research areas allows students to explore innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to address scientific questions and technological challenges.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is another leading institution that has cemented its status as one of the most elite graduate programs in chemistry in the United States. Consistently ranked in the nation’s top 15 for its graduate program in chemistry, UNC was tied for the 13th spot in the 2011 rankings. With a history that dates back to 1818 when its Department of Chemistry was first established, UNC has a long-standing tradition of excellence in research and education. The institution boasts a rich academic history, and its first Ph.D. degree was awarded in 1883, further highlighting the university’s commitment to fostering graduate education and advancing scientific inquiry for more than 200 years.

UNC’s Department of Chemistry has maintained its reputation as a leader in research and academic rigor by combining innovative teaching methods with groundbreaking research opportunities. Graduate students at UNC have the chance to collaborate with world-class faculty members and gain access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities, allowing them to focus on interdisciplinary scientific exploration. This research emphasis spans a variety of areas, including biochemistry, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and chemical biology, among others. UNC’s collaborative approach allows students to engage in pioneering research projects that advance the frontiers of chemistry while contributing to a deeper understanding of fundamental chemical principles.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is another institution that stands at the forefront of graduate chemistry education and research. UIUC continues to maintain a position as one of the top chemistry graduate programs in the nation, consistently ranked among the top ten. The American Chemical Society (ACS) has even recognized UIUC’s School of Chemical Sciences as “a major force in chemical education” in the United States, reflecting its contributions to advancing chemistry as a discipline and its emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and research. UIUC’s reputation as a leader in research and chemical education has made its program highly competitive and sought-after by students across the country and the world.

The strength of UIUC’s graduate program lies not only in its commitment to providing students with advanced training in foundational and applied chemistry but also in its emphasis on fostering collaboration across disciplines. The School of Chemical Sciences at UIUC offers students access to state-of-the-art research laboratories, innovative faculty-led research projects, and numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary study. This dedication to research and discovery allows students to engage with complex scientific questions, combining theory with experimentation to develop innovative solutions to global challenges. UIUC’s program offers specialization in several areas of chemistry, including physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and materials chemistry, ensuring that students can pursue research that aligns with their academic interests and career goals.

UIUC is not only committed to research excellence but also to ensuring that students are equipped with the tools necessary to contribute to the broader scientific community. Graduate students benefit from a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment in which faculty members work closely with students to provide mentorship, guidance, and the academic support needed to conduct independent research. This emphasis on student success, combined with state-of-the-art facilities and a tradition of academic innovation, has solidified UIUC’s role as a leader in both graduate education and scientific research.

Top Graduate Schools in Chemistry:
1 California Institute of Technology
1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1 University of California--Berkeley
4 Harvard University
4 Stanford University
6 University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign
7 Northwestern University
7 Scripps Research Institute
7 University of Wisconsin--Madison
10 Columbia University
10 Cornell University
12 University of Texas--Austin
13 University of Chicago
13 University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill
13 Yale University
16 Princeton University
16 University of California--Los Angeles
16 University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
19 Texas A&M University--College Station
19 University of Pennsylvania

Source: US News 2011