Best Graduate Chemistry Programs (US)

According to the US News & World Report's 2008 ranking of the best graduate chemistry programs, institutions such as the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley are recognized as leaders in the field. Harvard University, while ranked just slightly behind these top contenders, also stands as a symbol of excellence and academic rigor in the chemistry discipline.

The California Institute of Technology, often simply known as Caltech, has a reputation for being at the pinnacle of scientific and engineering research. Its chemistry department, recognized as one of the best in the country, is renowned for its emphasis on deep, interdisciplinary research and a collaborative environment that nurtures groundbreaking scientific inquiry. The program is distinguished by its small student-to-faculty ratio, which facilitates direct interaction between students and world-class faculty members. This close-knit academic environment fosters an unparalleled level of mentorship and hands-on research experience, allowing students to engage in cutting-edge projects and push the boundaries of what is known in fields such as organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry. Caltech’s chemistry department has been involved in numerous breakthroughs over the years, contributing significantly to advances in nanotechnology, energy solutions, and medical research. This reputation for excellence and innovation has cemented Caltech’s place as a leader in graduate chemistry education.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stands equally as a titan in the field, sharing the top spot with Caltech in the 2008 US News & World Report ranking. MIT’s chemistry department is renowned for its breadth and depth of research opportunities that span across traditional boundaries to include areas such as materials chemistry, environmental chemistry, and computational chemistry. The institution's world-class faculty and research facilities ensure that students have access to the resources they need to excel, from state-of-the-art laboratories to collaborative research centers that encourage interaction between different scientific disciplines. MIT’s focus on innovation is reflected in its numerous patents and its continuous involvement in high-impact scientific discoveries. The university's emphasis on research-driven education enables its students to engage in projects that address some of the most pressing challenges of modern science, such as climate change, sustainable energy production, and biomedical applications. The combination of a rigorous academic curriculum and opportunities for real-world application has made MIT synonymous with scientific leadership and academic achievement.

Stanford University, another powerhouse in the field of chemistry, holds a shared position at the top of the 2008 US News & World Report ranking. The university’s chemistry department is celebrated for its strong research programs that are well-integrated with various interdisciplinary initiatives. Stanford’s location in the heart of Silicon Valley further enhances its chemistry program by providing students and faculty with access to a network of tech companies, research institutions, and cutting-edge industries. This connection fosters a unique environment where academic research is often translated into practical applications, fueling innovations that can quickly move from the lab to real-world solutions. The department boasts a diverse array of research focuses, including synthetic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry, enabling students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the field and the flexibility to specialize in their areas of interest. The collaborative culture at Stanford encourages students to work not just within their own department but also across disciplines, promoting a holistic approach to scientific exploration that extends into engineering, biology, and even computer science. This well-rounded approach is integral to fostering a new generation of scientists capable of making impactful contributions to a rapidly evolving world.

The University of California, Berkeley, holds a similarly prestigious position, tying for first in the US News & World Report 2008 rankings. Berkeley’s chemistry department is widely recognized for its historical contributions to the field as well as its present-day research strengths. The university's commitment to excellence is reflected in its highly respected faculty and a comprehensive graduate program that offers both depth and a wealth of research opportunities. Berkeley is particularly known for its strengths in organic and inorganic chemistry, with several faculty members leading research that pushes the boundaries of known scientific knowledge. The department’s laboratories are equipped with the latest technology, and its research initiatives often involve collaboration with other departments and institutions, promoting an interdisciplinary approach that yields novel solutions to complex problems. The school’s emphasis on fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment has produced a remarkable number of breakthroughs in chemistry and has made it a desirable destination for graduate students aiming to make significant contributions to the scientific community.

Harvard University, although ranked 5th in the 2008 US News & World Report graduate chemistry rankings, stands as an emblem of intellectual achievement and scientific exploration. Harvard's chemistry department has long been recognized for its strong research output and its distinguished faculty, who are leaders in various subfields of chemistry including organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. The university’s commitment to research and discovery is reflected in its state-of-the-art laboratories and extensive library resources, which support both theoretical and practical studies. Harvard’s chemistry graduate program is designed to provide students with a rigorous education that emphasizes both foundational knowledge and research skills. The emphasis on academic excellence, combined with Harvard's strong reputation, attracts students from around the world, who seek to become part of a tradition of groundbreaking scientific inquiry that has contributed to fields such as drug discovery, sustainable energy, and nanotechnology.

Best Graduate Chemistry Programs:
1. California Institute of Technology
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1. Stanford University
1. University of California–Berkeley
5. Harvard University
6. Scripps Research Institute
7. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign
7. University of Wisconsin–Madison
9. Cornell University
9. Northwestern University
11. Columbia University
12. University of California–Los Angeles
12. University of Chicago
12. University of Texas–Austin
15. Yale University
16. Pennsylvania State University–University Park
16. Princeton University
16. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
16. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
20. University of California–San Diego
20. University of Pennsylvania
22. Purdue University–West Lafayette
22. Texas A&M University–College Station
22. University of California–Irvine
22. University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
26. Georgia Institute of Technology
26. University of California–Santa Barbara
28. Johns Hopkins University
28. Ohio State University
28. Rice University
28. University of California–San Francisco
28. University of Colorado–Boulder
28. University of Washington
34. Indiana University–Bloomington
34. University of California–Davis
36. Emory University
36. Iowa State University
36. Michigan State University
36. University of Arizona
36. University of Florida
36. University of Maryland–College Park
36. University of Utah
43. Colorado State University
43. Duke University
43. University of Pittsburgh
43. University of Southern California
43. Washington University in St. Louis
48. Florida State University
48. University of California–Riverside
50. Arizona State University
50. Boston College
50. Carnegie Mellon University
50. North Carolina State University
50. SUNY–Stony Brook
50. U of Georgia
50. U of Massachusetts–Amherst
50. U of Rochester
50. U of Virginia
59. Brown Univ
59. U of Oregon
59. Vanderbilt Univ
62. Boston Univ
62. U of Delaware
62. U of Illinois–Chicago
62. U of Iowa
62. U of Kansas
62. U of Notre Dame
68. Brandeis Univ
68. Case Western Reserve Univ
68. Rutgers, the State Univ of New Jersey–New Brunswick
68. Uni at Buffalo–SUNY
68. Virginia Tech
68. Wayne State Univ
74. Dartmouth College
74. Louisiana State Univ–Baton Rouge
74. New York Univ
74. Oregon State Univ
74. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
74. U of Nebraska–Lincoln
74. Washington State Univ
81. Syracuse Univ
81. U of California–Santa Cruz
81. U of Connecticut
81. U of Houston
81. U of Missouri–Columbia
81. U of South Carolina
81. U of Tennessee–Knoxville
88. Clemson Univ
88. Kansas State Univ
88. Tufts Univ
88. Univ of Cincinnati

Source: US News & World Report 2008