Why you should choose Chemical Engineering!

Chemical Engineering is a broad field that brings together math, chemistry, biology and engineering to build the world around us, from the fuel in your car to the materials in your clothes. Many of the products of chemical engineering can be seen just by looking around the room you're in. Large-scale production of pharmaceuticals, development of new semiconductor technologies and alternative energy sources are just a few of the areas in which chemical engineers are making a difference. Chemical engineers are also at the forefront of efforts to move to a more environmentally sustainable economy. Chemical engineering is also an excellent major for those students wishing to pursue formal studies in medicine, pharmaceuticals engineering or even law. Here at KU, we offer first-hand experience in all aspects of chemical engineering. Students may choose a general option, or premedical, biomedical, petroleum, or environmental specializations.

The future of the industry is very bright, thanks to increased worldwide demand for energy resources, medicines, and biomedical products. Chemical engineers are highly sought after to work in these industries as well as in research and development. This trend is likely to continue for many years.

The average starting salary for the graduating Class of 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering was $68,239. 

Students graduating with MS degrees make about the same salaries starting out as those with BS degrees. Students holding an MS, however, have higher advancement potential. 90% of PhD graduates go on to industrial research and development, where they start around the same average; however their mid-career range is much higher with an average of $138,000/year according to Forbes.