Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Contract chemist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a contract chemist. Contract chemists usually study chemistry, biology, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 84% of contract chemists hold a bachelor's degree, and 10% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 313 real contract chemist resumes to see exactly what contract chemist education sections show.
The most common colleges for contract chemists are the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh.
There are also many online contract chemist courses to help get the education required to be a contract chemist.
What education do you need to become a contract chemist?
What degree do you need to be a contract chemist?
- Bachelor's, 84%
- Master's, 10%
- Associate, 4%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become a contract chemist?
Most common colleges for contract chemists
| Contract chemist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh | 15.79% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 7.02% |
| University of Houston | 7.02% |
| Hampton University | 7.02% |
| University of Wisconsin Colleges | 5.26% |
Best majors for contract chemists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 56.1% |
| 2 | Biology | 11.7% |
| 3 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 9.2% |
| 4 | Chemical Engineering | 6.3% |
| 5 | Materials Sciences | 2.5% |
Best colleges for contract chemists
The best colleges for contract chemists are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Stanford University.
A contract chemist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for contract chemists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become contract chemists.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
4. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
5. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
In-state tuition
$49,816
Enrollment
6,840
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
9. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
20 best online courses for contract chemists
Advertising disclosure
1. IBM Data Analytics with Excel and R
Prepare for the in-demand field of data analytics. In this program, you’ll learn high valued skills like Excel, Cognos Analytics, and R programming language to get job-ready in less than 3 months, with no prior experience or degree needed.\n\nData analytics is a strategy-based science where data is analyzed to find trends, answer questions, shape business processes, and aid decision-making. This Professional Certificate focuses on data analysis using Microsoft Excel and R programming language...
2. Introduction to Business Analytics with R
Nearly every aspect of business is affected by data analytics. For businesses to capitalize on data analytics, they need leaders who understand the business analytic workflow. This course addresses the human skills gap by providing a foundational set of data processing skills that can be applied to many business settings. In this course you will use a data analytic language, R, to efficiently prepare business data for analytic tools such as algorithms and visualizations. Cleaning, transforming,...
3. R Programming: Advanced Analytics In R For Data Science
Take Your R & R Studio Skills To The Next Level. Data Analytics, Data Science, Statistical Analysis in Business, GGPlot2...
4. R Level 1 - Data Analytics with R
Use R for Data Analytics and Data Mining...
5. Contracts Management in Construction Projects
Contracts Management, Contract Administration, FIDIC, Bank Guarantees, Contracts, Letter Drafting, Quantity Surveying...
6. Business Data Analytics (IIBA®-CBDA Exam preparation)
IIBA® endorsed course. Learn how to apply analysis skills on data projects and prepare for an IIBA®-CBDA certification...
7. HR Analytics Master Course with Excel, Python and R
The Most Comprehensive Course on Data Analytics and HR Analytics...
8. Regression Analysis / Data Analytics in Regression
Gain Important and Highly Marketable Skills in Regression Analysis - Tame the Regression Beast Today!...
9. Statistics for Business Analytics using MS Excel
Learn how probability & statistics is used for business & business strategy. Make statistical business models in Excel...
10. HR Analytics using MS Excel for Human Resource Management
Use Excel for HR Analytics, calculate HR metrics, build HR dashboards & ML models for Human Resource & People Analytics...
11. Business Analytics Complete Course
Learn Business Analytics with complete Hands on Exercises...
12. AWS Certified Data Analytics Specialty Practice Exams
AWS Certified Data Analytics Practice Tests w/ Complete Explanations and References that covers all DAS-C01 topics!...
13. Advance Analytics with Excel - data analysis toolpak/ Solver
Advanced data analysis in excel: Data Analysis tools (toolpak add-in) for statistics / solver for linear optimization...
14. Decision Tree - Theory, Application and Modeling using R
Analytics/ Supervised Machine Learning/ Data Science: CHAID / CART / Random Forest etc. workout (Python demo at the end)...
15. R Tidyverse Reporting and Analytics for Excel Users
From Excel To Big Data and Interactive Dashboard Visualizations in 5 Hours...
16. Data Analytics and Applications in the Fashion Industry
Learn Data Analytics and Business Analysis for the Fashion Industry. Build a Smart and Data-driven Fashion Company!...
17. Introduction to Contract Management
Understand what is involved in the contract management process and put this knowledge to work with confidence...
18. Introduction to Business Analytics
Develop essential data analytics skills to grow your business...
19. Alteryx Masterclass for Data Analytics, ETL and Reporting
Alteryx bootcamp for Analytics Automation and ETL. Perform data analysis & create reports using Alteryx Designer...
20. Contract Management: Managing Contractual Risks
How to identify and deal with contract risks...
Top 10 most affordable universities for contract chemists
The most affordable schools for contract chemists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for contract chemists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for contract chemists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for contract chemists
The hardest universities for contract chemists to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for contract chemists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for contract chemists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for contract chemists
The easiest schools for contract chemists to get into are D'Youville College, mount saint mary's university, and wayland baptist university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a contract chemist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for contract chemists.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
4. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
5. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
8. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
9. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
10. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
Average contract chemist salary by education level
| Contract chemist education level | Contract chemist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $71,055 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $60,157 |
| Doctorate Degree | $85,847 |
Contract chemist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for contract chemist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025