Chemical Engineering Bachelor's Degree

Chemical engineering is a broad and versatile field that combines the principles of engineering and chemical sciences to make a more sustainable and efficient world. At Michigan Tech, chemical engineering majors study problems in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and more.

A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Michigan Tech prepares you to be a versatile and adaptable engineer. With such a universal degree, you can work to solve complex challenges in a wide range of disciplines. Generate sustainable electricity to power the future. Protect and preserve the world’s natural resources. Develop vital medications and vaccines that keep communities safe and healthy.

Use your expertise in engineering, mathematics, and chemistry in a hands-on educational environment. In the Department of Chemical Engineering’s three-story Unit Operations Laboratory (OU Lab)—the best in the nation—experience process simulation and control in a real-world chemical processing facility. Collaborate with industry-leading faculty members on groundbreaking research in renewable energy, waste management, pharmaceutical manufacturing, bioprocessing, and more.

Study alongside students who share your passions. Find your place in our community of driven engineers. Join professional organizations like the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Receive support from Chemical Engineering Learning Commons and department-specific academic and career advisors.

  • No. 13
    Best Public College for Engineering in America (Niche)
  • No. 2
    Best Public School for Internships (The Princeton Review)
  • No. 3
    Best Public College in the US for High Salaries (The Wall Street Journal)
  • No. 9
    for Career Placement (The Princeton Review)

What Will I Study?

As a chemical engineering major at Michigan Tech, you'll build on a foundation of engineering principles and chemical sciences, gain technical and problem-solving skills, and work with design principles and scientific theories. In the lab, you'll develop hands-on expertise working with industry-standard equipment on groundbreaking research and product development.

Before you graduate, put your chemical engineering skills to the test in either an industry-sponsored Senior Design capstone project or collaborative Enterprise team. Specialize your chemical engineering degree with advanced coursework in the following areas:

  • Biomanufacturing and Biosafety
  • Polymer Science
  • Alternative Energy Technologies and Processes
  • Mineral Processing and Extraction Laboratory
  • Sustainable Chemical Engineering
  • Hydrometallurgy 

Tomorrow Needs Versatile Chemical Engineers

Design processes that involve chemical or biological transformation. Work in large-scale manufacturing plants. Operate processes with safety, sustainability, and economics in mind.

You could also play an important role in protecting the environment. Invent cleaner technologies and calculate environmental impacts. Study the fate of chemicals in the natural world.

Chemical engineers make real changes that contribute to sustainability in society. They tackle big challenges, such as reducing our carbon footprint. You can help develop emerging technologies:

  • Biofuels and alternative energy
  • Engineered materials
  • Hydrogen fuel cells
  • Nanotechnology
  • Drug and vaccine development
  • Cleaner sources of energy
  • Earth-friendly plastics
  • Greener chemical processes

A chemical engineer's average starting salary is among the highest in the nation. Regional, national, and global corporations recruit our graduates. Our chemical engineering graduates have a 98 percent placement rate within six months of graduation. While studying at Michigan Tech, 90 percent of our students participate in a co-op, internship, or Enterprise project.

Engineering Enterprise Concentration

You can pursue an Enterprise concentration by taking part in Michigan Tech's award-winning Enterprise program. It's a great way to enhance your undergraduate degree. Enterprise is when students work in teams on real projects, with real clients, in an environment that's more like a business than a classroom. Choose from among 25 Enterprise teams on campus to invent products, provide services, and pioneer solutions. Tackle real-world design projects for industry sponsors or take part in a national competition (or both). This concentration can add courses in business and entrepreneurship.

All Enterprise teams are open to students from all majors, including the chemical engineering-focused teams such as Alternative Energy Enterprise, Green Campus, or Consumer Product Manufacturing. Tackle real-world design projects for industry sponsors or take part in a national competition (or both). This concentration can add courses in business and entrepreneurship.

Be Career Ready

Explore career opportunities for chemical engineers.

Graduate with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Michigan Tech. You will be well prepared to transition to an entry-level job in industry. Our degree provides excellent preparation for graduate school. An advanced degree is desirable for work in academia, research, medical school, or advanced industry.

After completing a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Michigan Tech, our students go on to jobs or graduate degree programs in:

  • Chemical production or manufacturing
  • Mineral processing and mining
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Biotechnology and bioprocessing
  • Sustainable engineering
  • Food production
  • Consumer goods
  • Alternative energy
  • Process safety
  • Environmental cleanup
  • Design engineering
  • Consulting
  • Medical school
  • Law school

$73,837 mean entry-level salary
Figures from payscale.com, accessed April 2025.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying chemical engineering at Michigan's flagship technological university.

"The Unit Operations Laboratory was something that set Michigan Tech apart from a lot of other schools."Jake Voss, chemical engineering

Department of Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering at Michigan Tech pairs real-world applications with classroom theory to provide a dynamic education in the chemical sciences and engineering. Prepare for academic and professional success with an emphasis on technical expertise and essential communication skills. With access to our world-class three-story Unit Operations Lab and a dedicated learning commons, you'll discover and pursue your interests in this vast and versatile field.

  • Experience a real chemical processing environment in our Unit Operations Lab.
  • Participate in research with world-renowned faculty as an undergraduate student.
  • Receive peer mentorship in the Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Learning Commons.
  • Prepare for a successful career in manufacturing, energy, sustainability, healthcare, and more.
  • Develop real solutions working on an industry-sponsored Senior Design capstone project or Enterprise team.
  • Specialize with a minor in polymer science and engineering, mineral processing, bioprocess engineering, or alternative energy technology.

MTU engineering

Real Engineering. Meaningful Work.

Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering is committed to inspiring students, advancing knowledge, and innovating technological solutions to create a sustainable, just, and prosperous world. With an entering engineering class of about 1,000 students, 18 degrees to choose from, and 160+ engineering faculty alone, our students take part in a world-class education with the trusted reputation of Michigan Tech.

Collaborate and innovate as part of Michigan Tech’s discovery-based learning environment. Explore the endless possibilities of your engineering education in Engineering Fundamentals. Work closely with world-renowned faculty as a research assistant or develop real solutions with industry partners on an Enterprise team or Senior Design capstone project. 

Join the pack and find the support you need. Map your academic career with the help of an academic advisor. Transition to University life with the support of the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success or receive academic support in any of the Learning Centers across campus. 

Study abroad, with engineering opportunities ranging from a few weeks to a full year. Focus on problems facing disadvantaged communities in countries around the world. Michigan Tech’s Global and Community Engagement program offers a range of options.

A degree in engineering from Michigan Tech can take you anywhere. After graduating, 95 percent of our alumni find successful employment within six months. Tech engineers work at NASA, Whirlpool, General Motors, Dow, Lockheed Martin, and other noteworthy organizations around the globe. With multiple annual Career Fairs and one-on-one advising from Career Services, you can find an internship, co-op, or full-time job where your engineering expertise can make a difference.

Tomorrow Needs Every Engineer

Michigan Tech engineers are at the forefront of change. Using creative ideas and technologies to solve problems in healthcare, energy, transportation, space exploration, climate change, and beyond, Tech engineers are prepared to help people and their communities adapt toward an equitable future. Become an engineer who is ready for what tomorrow needs.

College News

My Story: Katherine Baker, MTUengineer

"In August I completed an eight-month co-op with Billerud at their paper mill in nearby Iron Mountain, Michigan. Most of my projects revolved around chemical savings and energy optimization. I worked in a process engineering role on their pulp mill team, and was able to learn from both engineers and operators."

Katherine Baker
Katherine Baker ’26
chemical engineering