What can you do with a Chemical Engineering degree from Oregon State University?

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from Oregon State University 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 20 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 72%, Chemical Engineering graduates from Oregon State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+5%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 72%
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 30% 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 Oregon State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 28%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from Oregon State University with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Project Technical Support
Carisbrook Technology Services
Feb 2018 - Aug 2018
The position of Project Technical Support does not utilize any specific skills or knowledge from the Chemical Engineering degree, as it is more focused on technical support rather than engineering principles.

Process Engineer Technician Internship
Maxim Integrated
Sep 2018 - Mar 2019
The Process Engineer Technician Internship involves some technical skills relevant to chemical engineering, but it may not fully engage the core qualifications of the degree on a daily basis.

Investing Technician III
PCC Structurals, Inc.
Aug 2019 - Jul 2020
As an Investing Technician III, this role is primarily focused on investments and finance, lacking relevance to the core qualifications and skills of Chemical Engineering.

Manager
King's Proshop
Sep 2020 - Nov 2022
The Manager position at King's Proshop does not require any chemical engineering knowledge or skills, as it is centered around retail management rather than engineering concepts.

Process Engineer
PCC Structurals, Inc.
May 2023 - Present
The role of Process Engineer at PCC Structurals, Inc. directly applies chemical engineering principles and requires the specific knowledge acquired through the Bachelors degree, making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

Graduate with a B.S. in Chemical EngineeringProcess Engineer at PCC SchlosserPassed the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam for Chemical Engineering in OregonExperience writing and revising Standard Operating Procedures for Investment CastingExperience working in clean room and industrial environments

What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree from Oregon State University?

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


From analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from Oregon State University's Chemical Engineering program, it seems that most individuals have landed roles as Process Engineers, which is a strong testament to the relevance of their degree. These positions often involve applying core chemical engineering principles in various industries, such as renewable energy, materials processing, and manufacturing. Many of these jobs directly utilize the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies, particularly in process optimization and development. Graduates frequently hold positions like Process Development Engineer, Manufacturing Manager, and Environmental Engineer, all of which are closely aligned with their academic training.

However, there are also a fair number of positions that don't directly relate to chemical engineering. Some graduates have ventured into roles such as Quality Control Managers, Data Engineers, or even Technical Sales, where only some of their chemical engineering knowledge might be applicable. While these roles can still benefit from a background in engineering, they aren't strictly focused on the chemical processes they studied. Overall, while a good chunk of graduates seem to find relevant work in the field, there are definitely those who have taken paths that diverge from traditional chemical engineering roles.

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 Oregon State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Chemical Engineering graduates from Oregon State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates of Oregon State University's Chemical Engineering program seem to have a pretty strong career trajectory, especially right after they graduate. Most of them start off as process engineers, working in various industries like manufacturing, environmental services, and technology. This initial role gives them hands-on experience and sets a solid foundation for their careers. It’s common to see them bouncing between positions at several different companies, especially in the first five years after graduation, where they often transition to roles such as engineering consultants or managers as they gain more experience and skills. For example, graduates from 2010 and 2013 have moved up the ranks to higher positions, like manufacturing managers or analytics consultants, showing a clear upward movement in their careers.

Five to ten years down the line, many of these grads remain within fields related to chemical engineering, often taking on leadership roles or pivoting into specialized areas such as environmental engineering, manufacturing systems management, or project management. While some of them have even ventured into seemingly unrelated careers—like data engineering or quality control—most of them are still leveraging their chemical engineering background in meaningful ways. Overall, it looks like these graduates are generally doing well for themselves, with many finding relevant, solid careers in their field and continuing to advance professionally over time. This pattern highlights how versatile a Chemical Engineering degree can be, giving students plenty of paths they can follow based on their interests and opportunities that arise after graduation.

How hard is a Chemical Engineering degree from Oregon State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering can be pretty challenging, and it's not just at Oregon State University—this is a common theme across most universities. You’re diving deep into concepts like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and chemical reaction engineering, which can get pretty intense. Expect a lot of problem-solving, teamwork on projects, and some tough math and science classes that really test your understanding. While some people might find it manageable or even enjoyable, it can definitely feel overwhelming at times, especially with the workload and lab work involved. So, if you're up for a rigorous academic challenge and enjoy science and math, you'll probably do fine, but it’s important to be prepared for the commitment!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering.

Do Chemical Engineering graduates from Oregon State University tend to make good money?

It looks like the Chemical Engineering grads from Oregon State University have generally landed pretty solid jobs, especially given their fields. Most of the people listed have steadily climbed the career ladder, shifting from roles like Process Engineer to more senior positions, which usually means their salaries have been decent or even good, especially at companies like Intel and Nike. While exact salary figures aren’t available, engineering positions in these industries tend to offer competitive pay, particularly as they gain experience. So, overall, it seems like they're doing well for themselves financially!

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 Oregon State University). 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