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Research chemist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a research chemist. Research chemists usually study chemistry, biology, or chemical engineering. 71% of research chemists hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,248 real research chemist resumes to see exactly what research chemist education sections show.
The most common colleges for research chemists are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online research chemist courses to help get the education required to be a research chemist.
There are certain research chemist certifications that you should consider. These research chemist certifications include Specialist in Chemistry (SC(ASCP)) and Certified Chemical Engineer (CCE).
What education do you need to become a research chemist?
What degree do you need to be a research chemist?
- Bachelor's, 71%
- Master's, 15%
- Doctorate, 11%
- Associate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become a research chemist?
Most common colleges for research chemists
| Research chemist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 7.94% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 7.54% |
| University of California - Davis | 7.14% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 6.35% |
| Purdue University | 5.95% |
Best majors for research chemists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 66.4% |
| 2 | Biology | 8.1% |
| 3 | Chemical Engineering | 5.5% |
| 4 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 5.2% |
| 5 | Pharmacy | 3.3% |
Best colleges for research chemists
The best colleges for research chemists are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A research 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 research 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 research chemists.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. University of California - San Diego
La Jolla, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,167
Enrollment
30,279
4. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,830
Enrollment
29,474
5. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,099
Enrollment
21,404
6. Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$47,646
Enrollment
2,924
7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
8. Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,584
Enrollment
25,675
9. North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$9,414
Enrollment
11,182
10. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
20 best online courses for research chemists
Advertising disclosure
1. Understanding Research Methods
This MOOC is about demystifying research and research methods. It will outline the fundamentals of doing research, aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the postgraduate level. It places the student experience at the centre of our endeavours by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging discussions and exercises befitting SOAS, University of London's status as a research-intensive university and its rich research heritage. The course will appeal to those of you who require an...
2. Uncertainty and Research
This course teaches the fundamentals of scientific research. We approach the research process as a means of systematically reducing uncertainty and demonstrate how conducting a scientific investigation can be posed as an exercise in Bayesian uncertainty quantification. We begin by exploring the scientific landscape to understand the different types of research, where they are conducted, how they are supported, and why each of these types of research is important. We then formalize scientific...
3. Global Marketing Research and Analytics
Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...
4. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint
Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...
5. Market Research
The Market Research Specialisation focuses on the essentials of research and the research process. This Specialisation will teach you how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, how to develop and manage a questionnaire development strategy, how to develop measurements, how to collect data and how to analyze and present them.\n\nOnce you have completed this Specialisation, you will have a good understanding of market research including:\n\nEssentials of market research Components...
6. Market Research
"Finding the Story in the Data” is the most important emerging capability for market researchers according to GRIT (Greenbook Research Industry Trends) Report 2016. This specialization, designed for learners with no previous Marketing Research experience teaches a comprehensive marketing research approach that will help learners find and communicate the story in the data.\n\nStudents will learn how to initiate a research project for targeted business needs, conduct research through multiple...
7. Marketing Analytics: The Full Marketing Research Masterclass
#1 Course on Marketing Analytics: Become a marketing analytics & strategy expert...
8. Research Methodology
Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...
9. Qualitative Research
In this course, the second in the Market Research Specialization, you will go in-depth with qualitative market research methods, from design to implementation to analysis. Week 1: Define qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative research. Explore the various qualitative research methods and evaluate when and how to use them for your research project. Week 2: Design the qualitative instruments necessary for your interviews or focus groups, and plan your recruitment efforts. Write...
10. Being a researcher (in Information Science and Technology)
The course provides a broad view of how to become and progress as a researcher. It spans over a wide range of topics, from the historical development of scientific thought to research methodology, to the pragmatics of publication, research funding, evaluation, and promotion in a researcher’s career. It also stresses the ethical aspects of research. Although the course speaks about scientific research in general, it especially focuses on the field on Information and Communication Science and...
11. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course
Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...
12. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...
13. Psychological Research
This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...
14. Research Methods For Business Students
A-Z guide to writing a rockstar Research Paper with a bulletproof Research Methodology!...
15. Research Methods and Statistics: An Introduction (2023 Ed.)
A Primer in Research Methodology and Statistics in the Social Sciences (2023 Edition)...
16. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research
The Essentials of Clinical Trials - Clinical Research for Beginners...
17. Fast-start Usability Testing and UX Research - Begin Today!
Beginner to advanced in mere hours! Learn to confidently use modern, effective usability testing and UX research methods...
18. Marketing Research: support your marketing decisions
Discover the extra advantage of any Business. A practical step by step guide to Marketing Information and Research...
19. How to conduct market research in startups and small firms?
A-Z guide how to conduct market research, analyze your competitors as well as customers...
20. An Introduction to Online Quantitative Market Research
Learn how to effectively conceptualise, design, execute and apply quantitative online research like a PRO!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for research chemists
The most affordable schools for research chemists are University of Florida, florida state university, and university of north carolina at chapel hill.
If the best universities for research 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 research chemists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. University of Missouri - Kansas City
Kansas City, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$8,178
Cost of attendance
20,934
9. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for research chemists
The hardest universities for research chemists to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for research 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 research 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. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
8. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
9. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for research chemists
The easiest schools for research chemists to get into are D'Youville College, university of the incarnate word, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a research 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 research chemists.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,069
5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
6. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
10. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
Average research chemist salary by education level
| Research chemist education level | Research chemist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $79,764 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $68,984 |
| Doctorate Degree | $94,067 |
Research chemist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025