What can you do with a Chemical Engineering degree from Colorado School of Mines?

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from Colorado School of Mines we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 21 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Chemical Engineering graduates from Colorado School of Mines have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 23% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Chemical Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Chemical Engineering graduate from Colorado School of Mines and our analysis:


Relevance score: 84%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemical Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Test Planning Engineer
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Sep 2018 - Jul 2020
The position of Test Planning Engineer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard may involve some problem-solving skills applicable from a chemical engineering background, but it does not primarily require chemical engineering knowledge.

Testing and Work Control Engineer
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Jul 2020 - Present
As a Testing and Work Control Engineer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the job directly applies knowledge of engineering principles and testing protocols, which are core competencies from the Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree from Colorado School of Mines?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Looking at the various jobs held by graduates with a degree in Chemical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines, it seems like there's a pretty mixed bag of career paths. Many of these folks have taken on roles in academia, like teaching positions or graduate research assistants, which while related to their studies, don't necessarily make use of chemical engineering skills on a day-to-day basis. Others have ventured into analytical fields, such as Operations Research or roles that focus on data analysis, which, again, might use some problem-solving skills from their engineering background but don't call for the technical expertise developed during their degree.

On the flip side, there are a good number of graduates who have landed jobs where they can really flex their chemical engineering muscles. Positions such as Flow Assurance Application Scientist, Pilot Engineer, and Facilities Engineer showcase a direct application of chemical engineering principles. Some graduates have also found roles in manufacturing and process engineering, where their education is not only relevant but essential. However, it’s worth noting that a significant chunk of the jobs listed—such as roles in consulting, administrative positions, and product management—are only marginally related to their chemical engineering studies. Overall, while there are definitely solid career opportunities utilizing their degree, many grads seem to drift into roles where their chemical engineering skills aren't always front and center, which is something to keep in mind if you’re considering this field for your own studies!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Chemical Engineering graduates (this is across all Chemical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Colorado School of Mines):

What kind of career trajectories do Chemical Engineering graduates from Colorado School of Mines have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Chemical Engineering generally tend to find themselves on solid career paths in engineering and technology-related jobs, particularly in industries directly linked to their studies. It seems that for many of these graduates, their first jobs after leaving school often revolve around roles that apply their engineering knowledge, including positions like application engineers, manufacturing engineers, and project interns in energy and industrial sectors. The mix of roles suggests a healthy demand for chemical engineering skills in both traditional and emerging industries.

As they progress in their careers—about five to ten years after graduation—they often move into more advanced positions that involve specialty areas like project management, systems analysis, and applied research. For example, many alumni have transitioned into roles like senior analysts, facilities engineers, and even managerial positions within their companies. While there are certainly a few that have ventured into different paths, many of those who started in well-aligned fields have steadily climbed the career ladder, indicating a strong foundation provided by their education. Overall, it looks like Chemical Engineering graduates from Mines are making the most of their degree and establishing themselves in rewarding careers relevant to their field.

How hard is a Chemical Engineering degree from Colorado School of Mines?

Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, whether at Colorado School of Mines or somewhere else, is pretty tough. It’s definitely on the harder side of things compared to a lot of other majors. You’ll be diving into a mix of advanced math, chemistry, and engineering principles, which can be challenging if those subjects aren’t your strong suits. Plus, there’s a lot of problem-solving and applying concepts to real-world situations, which takes a lot of time and effort. At Mines, the environment is rigorous, so if you’re up for hard work and genuinely interested in the material, you'll find a way to make it through, but be prepared to put in some serious study hours!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering.

Do Chemical Engineering graduates from Colorado School of Mines tend to make good money?

Looking at these Chemical Engineering grads from Colorado School of Mines, it seems like they're generally doing pretty well in their careers, especially if you consider the variety of roles they’ve landed and how quickly some have advanced. The oldest grad, who graduated in 2010, has steadily climbed the ladder, switching jobs that seem to pay decently, with a mix of teaching and analyst positions. The later graduates, especially from 2018 and 2019, have already moved into roles with titles like Product Line Manager and Senior Application Engineer, which usually come with a solid paycheck. Even the more recent grads from 2021 and 2022 are snagging positions at big companies like Samsung and Eli Lilly, which typically come with good salaries and benefits. Overall, it looks like these folks are raking in decent money, especially given the steady growth in their careers since graduating.

What buzzwords do Chemical Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering (this is across all Chemical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Colorado School of Mines). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Chemical Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Chemical Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Northeastern University 91 11
Rochester Institute of Technology 90 10
Clarkson University 90 10
University of Cincinnati 89 16
Oklahoma State University 88 10
Purdue University 87 20
University of Arkansas 87 13
North Carolina State University 86 22
Arizona State University 85 13
University of Wisconsin-Madison 85 13
University of Delaware 85 13
University at Buffalo 83 10
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 83 13
University of California, Berkeley 82 12
Villanova University 82 10
Montana State University-Bozeman 82 13
Louisiana State University 81 15
The Ohio State University 80 36
Texas A&M University 79 37
Brigham Young University 79 14
University of Arizona 79 15
University of Oklahoma 79 13
University of Massachusetts Lowell 79 12
Michigan Technological University 78 22
Auburn University 76 20
Iowa State University 75 18
Georgia Institute of Technology 74 11
University of California, Davis 73 20
University of Houston 73 17
University of Pittsburgh 73 21
University of Virginia 73 12
Michigan State University 72 24
Oregon State University 72 20
University of Dayton 72 12
Penn State University 71 21
The University of Texas at Austin 71 24
University of Washington 71 10
University of Iowa 71 10
University of Connecticut 70 11
The University of Alabama 69 10
New Jersey Institute of Technology 69 12
Colorado School of Mines 69 21
University of Florida 68 20
Virginia Tech 68 16
Mississippi State University 68 15
University of Notre Dame 68 10
University of Kentucky 67 11
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 67 16
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 66 11
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 65 16
University of Michigan 62 21
The University of Kansas 62 11
Missouri University of Science and Technology 60 14
University of South Florida 58 14
University of California, San Diego 56 12