Chemical Engineering at Clemson
Clemson · B.S.
Chemical Engineering
- Degree
- B.S.
- College / unit
- College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
- Locations
- Clemson, South Carolina
- Requirements updated
- 2026–27
About this major
Chemical Engineering uses chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology to design processes that transform materials. Students study material balances, thermodynamics, transport, reactions, and process control. Clemson connects this technical foundation with applications in manufacturing, energy, environmental protection, biotechnology, and health-related research. Laboratories and design projects connect these ideas.
Clemson program overview (opens in a new tab)Decision snapshot
At a Glance: National Evidence
National evidence for related fields and occupations. It describes groups, not what will happen to one student.
View degree requirements (opens in a new tab)Most common positions
- Chemical engineerDesigns safe ways to transform materials. Bachelor's typical. Opens an occupation profile in a new tab.
- Industrial engineerImproves how products and workplaces operate. Bachelor's typical. Opens an occupation profile in a new tab.
- Software developerBuilds and improves software systems. Bachelor's typical. Opens an occupation profile in a new tab.
National pay
$85,000
Median for full-time U.S. graduates ages 22–27 · 2024
New York Fed category: Chemical Engineering
Generalized outcomes
- Unemployment
- 4.7%
- Underemployment
- 17.9%
- With a graduate degree
- 48.1%
Related Clemson majors
Clemson decision guide
Before You Choose
What studying it feels like
Much of the work begins with math and ends with a process that must operate safely. You’ll model reactions and transport, then test how those ideas hold up in a lab or design project.
One thing to know
The degree is broader than working with chemicals at a bench. Manufacturing and process design are central parts of the field.
Ask yourself
- 1Do you enjoy using math to understand processes at scale?
- 2Would process design interest you more than bench chemistry alone?
Longer-term context
$135,000
National median for U.S. graduates ages 35–45 · 2024
Chemical Engineering. Group evidence, not a prediction for one student.
Pay source (opens in a new tab)Career preparation
All three positions commonly begin with a bachelor’s degree. Process and manufacturing roles place extra value on internships and safety experience.
Clemson guide sources
Sources & How to Read This Guide
- Clemson undergraduate program inventory and degree requirements Opens in a new tab.
- Labor market outcomes by college major Opens in a new tab.
- ACS PUMS field-of-degree and occupation files, 2018–2024 Opens in a new tab.
- CIP-to-occupation crosswalk and occupation profiles Opens in a new tab.
Most common positions use Census weights in pooled 2018–2024 ACS PUMS data, excluding 2020. The sample covers employed degree holders ages 22–35 who weren’t enrolled. This guide uses Chemical Engineering (FOD 2405; unweighted n=5,135; direct field match). These are national patterns, not Clemson outcomes.
Chemical Engineering (CIP 14.0701) is compared with the New York Fed category Chemical Engineering. National evidence describes groups and is not a prediction for one student. Future of STEM is independent and is not endorsed by Clemson University.