Chemical Engineering · California

Chemical Engineering colleges in California

CampusPin lists 267 U.S. colleges in California that offer Chemical Engineering programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Chemical Engineering applies chemistry, physics, and math to design large-scale processes that turn raw materials into fuels, medicines, and materials, for students who like lab science and design.

Schools in California that offer Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering programs in California: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 267 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

267

Public / private

24 / 26

Universities / 2-year

44 / 6

Cities represented

39

In-state tuition range

$1,104–$57,946

Median in-state tuition

$10,217

Lowest published in-state tuition

Barstow Community College

$1,104

Most selective

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

30% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

California State University-Fullerton

41,793 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Chemical Engineering program

  • Material and energy balances on chemical processes
  • Chemical engineering thermodynamics and phase equilibria
  • Fluid mechanics and heat and mass transfer (transport phenomena)
  • Chemical reaction engineering and reactor design
  • Separation processes (distillation, absorption, extraction, membranes)
  • Process dynamics, control, and instrumentation
  • Process and plant design with safety and economic analysis
  • Unit-operations and process laboratory work, plus organic and physical chemistry

Where a Chemical Engineering degree can lead

  • Chemical engineers
  • Process Engineer
  • Production / Manufacturing Engineer
  • Process Control Engineer
  • Environmental / Safety Engineer
  • Research and Development Engineer

Typical pay: $70,000–$100,000 early-career (BLS, 2024 chemical engineers median $121,860)

A Chemical Engineering major is typically an ABET-accredited bachelor of science that teaches students to design, operate, and optimize the processes that convert raw materials into useful products, from petrochemicals and plastics to pharmaceuticals, foods, and semiconductors. The core sequence builds on calculus, differential equations, and chemistry, then layers on the discipline's defining courses: material and energy balances, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, separation processes, and process control.

Most programs require organic and physical chemistry, several unit-operations and process-design labs, and a senior capstone in which teams design a full chemical plant or process and evaluate it on safety, economics, and environmental impact. Graduates work in process and production engineering, manufacturing, energy, biotechnology, materials, and environmental compliance, and many pursue the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam as a step toward a Professional Engineer (PE) license.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of chemical engineers to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034 and reports a 2024 median wage of $121,860 for the occupation.

Chemical Engineering in other states

Other majors in California

Find more Chemical Engineering schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 267+ Chemical Engineering programs in California by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

Search Chemical Engineering schools in CaliforniaAbout the Chemical Engineering majorAll colleges in California

Related majors in California