The Best Online Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering

The Top 1 Best Online Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering
RankSchoolLocationScore
#1University of North DakotaGrand Forks, North Dakota99

Chemical engineering is a broad-based engineering concentration suitable for students with a wide range of interests in the engineering sector, from manufacturing and pharmaceuticals to textiles and polymers. Earning an online bachelor’s in chemical engineering degree can provide you with both the skills and credentials to work in a wide range of professional settings, including commercial production, government research, and industrial design.

Your study will combine basic courses in calculus and chemistry with study in areas such as molecular behavior, electromechanical systems, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and more. Earning your bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university degree program is an important basic threshold on your way to becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

Learn more about Programmatic Accreditation for online bachelor’s degrees in engineering.

Find out how you can become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

Your online engineering degree program in chemical engineering can be channeled into a wide range of specializations, including food science, bioetechnology, environmental science, and much more.

Earning your chemical engineering degree online provides a convenient, flexible and accessible way to balance the pursuit of your undergraduate degree with your existing career and personal responsibilities. Bear in mind that many online bachelor’s degree programs may include a practicum or laboratory requirements, which could necessitate that you meet in-person once or several times during a semester. Be aware of any such requirements as you search for the right online engineering bachelor’s degree program.

Learn more about the benefits of an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.

These programs were ranked with eight factors: student-to-faculy ratio, degrees-awarded-in-field ratio, graduation rate, retention rate, percentage of online students, concentrated influence, desirability, and exclusivity. The program's cost grade is determined by the average in-state tuition levels and its percentile distribution compared to other online engineering institutions. Learn more about our methodology

The Best Online Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering Ranking

#1

University of North Dakota

College of Engineering and Mines

University of North Dakota's Online Degrees and Programs
DegreeCredits NeededCompletion Time
BS - Chemical Engineering1304-5 years
General Information+
Key FactAnswer
Total Enrollment13,581 (25% fully online)
Public or PrivatePublic
Number of Online Engineering Programs31
AccreditationRegional: Higher Learning Commission
Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition$9,736 per year
Average Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition$15,895 per year
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
Net Price Information+
Family Annual IncomeCost
$0 – $30,000$11,092/year
$30,001 – $48,000$11,916/year
$48,001 – $75,000$15,109/year
$75,001 – $110,000$17,409/year
$110,00+$17,781/year
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
See UND’s full list of online degrees!

Online Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering FAQ

What Courses Will I Take With an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering?

In addition to introductory courses on core engineering principles and foundational STEM courses like physics and calculus, your degree in chemical engineering will likely include some of the following courses:

  • Physical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Electronic Materials
  • Thermodynamics
  • Applied Statistics
  • Numerical Methods in Chemical Engineering

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What Industries Can I Work in With an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering?

A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering could be a pathway into a variety of industries, including:

  • Energy Production
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Research & Development
  • Manufacturing
  • Environmental Safety

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What Jobs Can I Get With an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering?

This versatile engineering degree can open the door to a number of exciting career options. With a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, you could:

  • Manage a chemical plant
  • Work as a systems operator
  • Maintain manufacturing equipment
  • Test food products for safety
  • Contribute to the development of new antibiotics

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Online Bachelor's in Engineering FAQ

Can You Get a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Fully Online?

You can earn a bachelor's degree in engineering online. However, you'll want to make sure that your online bachelor's degree program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Only degrees from ABET-accredited institutions will be viewed as credible by employers, professional associations, scholarly journals, and others.

To learn more, find out what you can do with an online bachelor's degree in engineering.

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What Kind of Accreditation Do I Need for an Online Bachelor's Degree in Engineering?

Accreditation is important in higher education, but it takes on added importance in certain fields. Engineering is one of them. Engineering accreditation is actually an essential requirement if you plan to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). So in addition to seeking out a college or university with accreditation from a Department of Education-recognized accreditor, you should also seek out a school with an engineering program that has earned programmatic accreditation. In the engineering field, programmatic accreditation must be granted by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in order for the resulting degree to confer licensing eligibility.

To learn more, check out our Guide to Programmatic Accreditation for Engineering.

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What Kinds of Online Bachelor's in Engineering Degrees Are There?
  • Bachelor of Science Engineering (B.Sc.Eng.)
  • Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)
  • Bachelor of Engineering Science (B.Eng.Sc.)
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.)
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.)

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How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Bachelor's Degree in Engineering?

The typical online bachelor's degree in engineering will require you to earn 120 credits. For full-time students, this can typically be completed over the course of four to six years. Part-time students who are balancing their online education with job responsibilities and commitments to home and family may require longer.

If you're interested in bundling your online bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering into a single program, learn more about Accelerated 4+1 Online Engineering Degree Programs here.

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What Are Some Important Engineering Societies?

Engineering societies are an essential part of the engineering discipline and professional sector. In addition to the numerous benefits that these professional associations provide to members, many of the leading engineering societies also play a direct role in granting accreditation to degree programs and awarding licenses to professional engineers. It's a good idea to become familiar with the engineering societies, professional associations, and student-run groups that represent the engineering field. This can be especially appealing if you're working toward an online engineering degree. The following are some noteworthy professional engineering societies:

For a closer look, check out our Guide to the top Professional Engineering Associations.

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Career Information

Chemical Engineer Career Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a chemical engineer career requires a bachelor's degree for entry into the field.

Chemical Engineer Hourly Wages by Percentile
PercentileHourly Wage
Mean$56 per hour
Tenth Percentile$32 per hour
Twenty-Fifth Percentile$41 per hour
Fiftieth Percentile (Median)$52 per hour
Seventy-Fifth Percentile$66 per hour
Ninetieth Percentile$85 per hour
Chemical Engineer Annual Wages by Percentile
PercentileAnnual Wage
Mean$117,090
Tenth Percentile$66,810
Twenty-Fifth Percentile$84,720
Fiftieth Percentile (Median)$108,770
Seventy-Fifth Percentile$137,860
Ninetieth Percentile$176,090
Chemical Engineer Employment Outlook 2019-2029
MeasurementEmployment
2019 Employment32,600 people
2029 Employment34,000 people
Employment Percent Change from 2019 to 20294%

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Updated: .