What can you do with a Chemical Engineering degree from University at Buffalo?

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from University at Buffalo 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 83%, Chemical Engineering graduates from University at Buffalo have a much higher likelihood (+16%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 83%
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, 40% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Chemical Engineering graduate.

See the details:

View a random Chemical Engineering graduate from University at Buffalo and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from University at Buffalo with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Researcher
University at Buffalo
Jan 2018 - May 2018
As a researcher at the University at Buffalo, this position directly utilizes the advanced knowledge and specific skills in chemical engineering gained from the bachelor's program on a daily basis.

Chemical Engineering Intern
Helios NRG
May 2018 - Aug 2018
The internship at Helios NRG involves practical experience related to chemical engineering principles and applications, making it highly relevant to the bachelor's degree in chemical engineering.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Science - MS
University at Buffalo
2018 - 2020
ABOUT

Masters Chemical Engineering student with technical work experience in machining/manufacturing and laboratory training/research experience. Motivated, organized, and dependable.

What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree from University at Buffalo?

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


Looking at the job history of graduates from the University at Buffalo with a degree in Chemical Engineering, it seems like they often find roles that are closely aligned with what they studied. Many of them work as Process Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, or in similar positions where understanding chemical processes is key. For instance, roles at companies like Entegris, SuperPower Inc., and BAE Systems frequently highlight how these positions rely on the technical skills and knowledge gained through their degree. It’s pretty clear that they’re using their chemical engineering background in a meaningful way, especially in manufacturing and system engineering scenarios.

However, there are some exceptions. Jobs like Surveyors or roles in administrative settings, like receptionist positions, don’t tap into their chemical engineering training at all. Most of these graduates seem to have found their way into industry roles that use the principles of chemical engineering, but there are a couple of instances where the relevance isn’t as strong. So, overall, it seems that while many graduates are working in jobs very much related to their degree, a few have ventured into areas that don’t fully utilize their chemical engineering skills. Still, the majority are definitely finding good applications for what they learned in school!

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 University at Buffalo):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of Chemical Engineering graduates from the University at Buffalo, it seems like many start off strong right after graduation. Most of these graduates kick off their careers in engineering roles that are closely tied to their degree, such as process engineers or manufacturing engineers, with several securing positions in well-known companies like Entegris and BAE Systems. It's clear that these first jobs are often in roles that allow them to apply their technical knowledge directly, which is promising for someone looking to get into the engineering field. For instance, many move up steadily in their organizations, transitioning from technician roles to engineers and then often into managerial positions in just a few years.

Fast forward five to ten years, and it looks like these graduates continue to find relevant, upwardly mobile career paths. Many stick with their employers, moving into senior engineering or specialized roles and even managerial positions, which implies a solid level of satisfaction and career growth in the field. While not every single graduate may follow this exact pattern—some may take less direct routes or explore distinct industries—it’s clear that a significant portion finds themselves in strong engineering positions that build on their foundational education. Overall, graduating from the University at Buffalo with a degree in Chemical Engineering seems to set alumni on solid, relevant career paths in engineering, with opportunities for growth and advancement ahead. It’s a reassuring sign if you're considering this major!

How hard is a Chemical Engineering degree from University at Buffalo?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, whether at the University at Buffalo or anywhere else, is generally considered pretty challenging. You'll be diving into some tough subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and organic chemistry, all of which require strong math skills and a solid understanding of the sciences. It’s definitely not a walk in the park, and you'll probably find yourself spending a good amount of late nights studying and working on problem sets. That said, if you're really interested in the material and dedicated to putting in the effort, you can totally get through it. Just be prepared to tackle some complex concepts and work hard, because it’s definitely on the tougher end of the spectrum!

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 University at Buffalo tend to make good money?

So, if you look at the job paths of these Chemical Engineering grads from University at Buffalo, it seems like they’re doing pretty well financially. Those who graduated a while ago, like the 2011 grad, have climbed the ladder to senior positions, which usually means a nice paycheck—especially being a Manufacturing Engineering Manager now. Even the more recent grads are getting solid roles, like the Associate Rotating Engineer and Principal Process Engineer, which are typically decent-paying jobs right out of school. However, the recent graduates still have some internships on their resumes, so they're starting off a bit lower. Overall, these guys seem to be making a good living, with promising growth ahead!

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 University at Buffalo). 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