Chemical Engineering, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Why Chemical Engineering, Other. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 35.2%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Chemical Engineering, Other. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $65843 and average student debt of $23170, the financial outlook for Chemical Engineering, Other. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
Chemical Engineering, Other. is a program that attracts motivated students who want to make an impact. Starting pay for new grads is typically $65843, and with an average debt of $23170, the debt-to-income ratio comes in at 0.35—meaning you’ll have lots of flexibility after graduation.
This program sees about 11830 graduates annually, so you’ll be joining a well-established network. A common next step is a career as a Chemical Engineers, which is expected to see 3.0% growth. Whether you’re aiming for a high-paying job, a stable career, or a chance to make an impact, Chemical Engineering, Other. is a great foundation. Remember, your journey is shaped by the opportunities you pursue—so get involved and stay curious!
Degree Overview
Chemical Engineering, Other (CIP 14.0799) is a specialized engineering field that applies molecular science and systems engineering to non-traditional industrial challenges. While standard chemical engineering focuses on petroleum or large-scale plastics, this "Other" category is often the home for specialized tracks like nanomaterials, sustainable bioprocessing, electrochemical energy storage, and molecular medicine. It is a path for "process architects"—individuals who want to design the microscopic and macroscopic systems that turn raw molecules into high-value products.
This field is ideal for "multidisciplinary thinkers"—individuals who enjoy the intersection of chemistry, physics, and biology and want to apply those sciences to solve complex problems in energy, health, and environmental sustainability.
What Is a Chemical Engineering (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on the transformation of matter and energy at a highly specialized level. Because it falls into the "Other" category, these programs are often interdisciplinary, blending chemical engineering with materials science, genomics, or renewable energy physics. You might study how to design a "lab-on-a-chip" for instant disease detection, engineer a more efficient hydrogen fuel cell, or develop biodegradable polymers from agricultural waste. It is an intensive STEM major that focuses on the precision of the molecular world.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Molecular Engineers" for the burgeoning field of nanotechnology
- Develop experts in Green Chemical Processes designed to eliminate toxic waste at the source
- Prepare professionals for Bio-Manufacturing, such as engineering the large-scale production of vaccines
- Study Electrochemical Engineering for the development of next-generation solid-state batteries
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that managing a chemical reaction in a lab is only the first step; the true challenge is scaling that reaction safely and efficiently for global use.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Transport Phenomena—understanding how momentum, heat, and mass move through a system
- Use "Process Simulation Software" (like Aspen Plus) to model complex chemical plants
- Design Separation Processes to isolate specific molecules with extreme purity
- Perform "Economic Feasibility Studies" to ensure a chemical process is profitable
- Utilize Kinetics and Reactor Design to control the speed and safety of chemical reactions
- Understand Process Safety and Hazard Analysis to prevent industrial accidents and leaks
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a rigorous mix of advanced calculus, thermodynamics, and molecular science:
- Chemical Thermodynamics: The study of energy and work within chemical systems.
- Biomolecular Engineering: Manipulating cells and proteins for medical or industrial use.
- Polymer Science: The engineering of plastics, rubbers, and synthetic fibers.
- Nanotechnology: Designing materials and devices at the scale of atoms and molecules.
- Environmental Engineering for Chemicals: Designing "circular" systems where waste becomes a resource.
- Surface Science: How molecules interact at the interface of solids, liquids, and gases.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as specialized engineers, researchers, and technical consultants.
Common job roles include:
- Process Engineer: Optimizing the production lines for pharmaceuticals, electronics, or food.
- Sustainability Engineer: Designing systems that capture carbon or recycle industrial byproducts.
- Materials Scientist: Developing new coatings, adhesives, or conductors for the tech industry.
- R&D Engineer: Inventing new chemical formulas for everything from cosmetics to rocket fuel.
- Operations Manager: Overseeing the safety and efficiency of a specialized manufacturing plant.
- Quality Control Manager: Ensuring high-precision chemicals meet international purity standards.
Where Can You Work?
Chemical engineering specialists work in the labs and plants that fuel the modern economy:
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Firms like Pfizer, Moderna, or Merck.
- Energy and Battery Firms: Companies developing solar tech, hydrogen power, and EV batteries.
- Semiconductor Manufacturers: Using chemical precision to etch the world's fastest computer chips.
- Specialty Chemical Firms: Creating the high-performance materials used in aerospace and defense.
- Environmental Agencies: Working on water purification and large-scale pollution remediation.
How Much Can You Earn?
Chemical engineering is consistently one of the highest-paid engineering disciplines due to its complexity and the high value of the industries it serves.
- Chemical Engineers (General): Median annual salary of approximately $105,000–$125,000.
- Petrochemical or Energy Engineers: Salaries can range from $120,000 to over $160,000.
- Pharmaceutical Engineers: Median annual salary of around $95,000–$130,000.
- Entry-Level Junior Engineers: Often start between $78,000 and $92,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the intense mathematical and conceptual load. You must be a master of Physics, Organic Chemistry, and Advanced Calculus. It is often described as "the most difficult engineering major" because it requires you to understand the world at both the microscopic level (atoms) and the macroscopic level (massive factories). It requires a "logical and disciplined" mind that can manage multiple variables in real-time while maintaining a high standard for safety.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love Chemistry but want to use it to "build" things on a large scale
- Are fascinated by how raw materials are turned into finished products
- Want to solve global challenges like clean energy and sustainable manufacturing
- Enjoy high-stakes problem solving where accuracy is non-negotiable
- Are interested in the intersection of biology and technology
How to Prepare in High School
- Take the most advanced Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus classes available
- Learn programming basics (Python or MATLAB are common in this field)
- Join a Science Olympiad team or an engineering club
- Practice your "Technical Writing"—engineers must document their processes with extreme clarity
- Experiment with "systems thinking"—try to understand the step-by-step process of how any common object is made
The ability to manipulate molecules and design the systems that produce them at a global scale is the hallmark of a successful chemical engineering professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor