What can you do with a Chemical Engineering degree from University of Massachusetts Lowell?

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 79%, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell have a much higher likelihood (+12%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 79%
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 16% 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 University of Massachusetts Lowell and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2023 from University of Massachusetts Lowell with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Chemical Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Jr Sales Applications Engineer
RdF
Jul 2023 - Present
The position of Jr Sales Applications Engineer at RdF may require some technical knowledge related to chemical engineering principles, but it primarily focuses on sales and applications rather than directly utilizing core chemical engineering skills on a daily basis.

ABOUT

I am a recent graduate from UMass Lowell, with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, seeking employment opportunities

What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree from University of Massachusetts Lowell?

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


It looks like people with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell have landed a pretty diverse set of jobs. A lot of them seem to work in roles such as engineers, particularly in manufacturing, process design, or automation, where they can really show off their chemical engineering skills. Positions like Manufacturing Engineer, Process Maintenance Supervisor, and Quality Engineer are quite common, and these roles definitely relate back to their studies. Many of these jobs require a solid understanding of chemical processes and principles, so it's clear that these graduates are using what they learned in school in real-world applications.

However, there are also a few examples of occupations that don't really align with the core aspects of Chemical Engineering. Some folks have taken on roles like Delivery Driver or Warehouse Associate, which don't utilize their specialized knowledge at all. Overall, while many graduates are working in relevant fields that leverage their expertise, there’s a noticeable mix of job types, including some positions that veer away from traditional chemical engineering tasks. So, while a significant number are employed in careers that are on-point with their degree, there are a few outliers in occupations that don’t really utilize their chemical engineering education effectively.

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 of Massachusetts Lowell):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of Chemical Engineering graduates from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, it seems like many of them land solid jobs right after graduation and often stay within relevant fields as their career progresses. For instance, graduates from 2014 and 2015 jumped into engineering roles straight away, like process engineering and manufacturing roles, which are directly tied to their education. A few years later, they’ve continued to advance in the industry, with some even taking on senior positions that highlight their growth and expertise, like the Senior Manufacturing/Process Engineer at International Rectifier who has maintained a continuous trajectory since 2014.

However, there's also a mixed bag. Recent grads from 2022, for example, show a more diverse career path, with some taking on roles like Warehouse Associate and Delivery Driver, which aren't aligned with their Chemical Engineering degree. This might suggest that either those graduates faced challenges finding engineering roles immediately, or they chose to explore different options for the time being. Overall, while many graduates enjoy successful careers in engineering, there are some who seem to veer off the path after graduation, particularly in the earlier career stages. The long-term outlook for those who remain in the field, however, appears encouraging with opportunities for advancement and specialization in areas like biotechnology and manufacturing automation.

How hard is a Chemical Engineering degree from University of Massachusetts Lowell?

Getting a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering can be pretty challenging, and that holds true for programs like the one at UMass Lowell. You’ll dive into a lot of tough subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and reaction engineering, and those classes can be a real brain-twister. The workload is often heavy, with lots of labs and problem sets to tackle, so you’ll need to stay organized and put in some serious study time. Overall, it's not the easiest major out there, but if you have a solid interest in chemistry and math, and you're willing to put in the effort, you can definitely make it through!

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 of Massachusetts Lowell tend to make good money?

Looking at these Chemical Engineering grads from UMass Lowell, it seems like many of them are doing quite well in their careers, especially those who graduated a bit earlier. The older graduates, like the ones from 2014 and 2015, have secured steady positions as engineers and supervisors in reputable companies, which typically means decent salaries. The more recent grads from 2019 and onward are also landing solid roles—some even starting their own ventures—which suggests they're on a good path financially. On the flip side, the recent grads from 2022 seem to have more varied and lower-paying jobs, like being a delivery driver and a warehouse associate, which might not be the best reflection of the earning potential for their degree just yet. Overall, it looks like some are making good money while others are still finding their way, but that's pretty common in the early stages of a career!

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 of Massachusetts Lowell). 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