Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems at the interface of chemical engineering and biology, with an emphasis at the molecular level, such as biopharmaceutical processes, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, gene therapy, biomaterials, cell and tissue engineering, and drug delivery. Includes instruction in chemical engineering, thermodynamics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, momentum and heat transfer, cellular and molecular biotechnology, process design, and chemical reactor design.
- Schools offering
- 14
- Annual completions
- 152
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $97k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems at the interface of chemical engineering and biology, with an emphasis at the molecular level, such as biopharmaceutical processes, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, gene therapy, biomaterials, cell and tissue engineering, and drug delivery. Includes instruction in chemical engineering, thermodynamics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, momentum and heat transfer, cellular and molecular biotechnology, process design, and chemical reactor design.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and engineering managers | $168k | +3.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Engineers, all other | $118k | +2.1% | Bachelor's degree |
| Engineering teachers, postsecondary | $106k | +8.1% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Bioengineers and biomedical engineers | $107k | +5.2% | Bachelor's degree |
| Chemical engineers | $122k | +2.6% | Bachelor's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$97k
Top colleges for Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 0 | 52 | 52 |
| Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | 0 | 36 | 36 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 0 | 23 | 23 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | 0 | 17 | 17 |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | 0 | 16 | 16 |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Holmes Community College | Goodman, MS | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Ohio University-Main Campus | Athens, OH | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ohio University-Southern Campus | Ironton, OH | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ohio University-Eastern Campus | Saint Clairsville, OH | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering worth it? Read verdict