What can you do with a Chemistry degree from Purdue University?

First, some facts. Of the Chemistry graduates from Purdue 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Chemistry graduates from Purdue University have a much higher likelihood (+13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

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

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Also, after graduating, 63% 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 Chemistry graduate.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Chemistry degree from Purdue University?
• What do Chemistry graduates from Purdue University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Chemistry degree from Purdue University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Chemistry degree from Purdue University?
• What are the best colleges for Chemistry?

View a random Chemistry graduate from Purdue University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2019 from Purdue University with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION QC Chemist CHT USA - Cassopolis May 2019 - May 2020 As a QC Chemist, the role directly applies the core knowledge and skills acquired from a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, involving hands-on analysis and quality control in a chemical context. Quality Control Chemist Voyant Beauty Jun 2020 - Jul 2021 The position of Quality Control Chemist at Voyant Beauty requires the application of chemistry principles and techniques learned in the Bachelor's program, making it highly relevant. ABOUT Experienced Quality Control Chemist with a demonstrated history of working in the chemicals industry. Skilled in ISO 14001, Internal Audit, NMR Spectroscopy, ChemDraw, and Quantum Mechanics. Strong quality assurance professional with a Bachelor's degree focused in Chemistry and a minor in Physics from Purdue University.

What jobs can you get with a Chemistry degree from Purdue University?

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

• QC Chemist
• Research Assistant
• Chemist
• MBA Intern, Global Marketing
• Graduate Assistant
• Residence Education Coordinator
• Area Coordinator
• Assistant Director of Residence Life
• Innovation Assistant | Center for Law, Technology & Innovation
• Licensing and Intellectual Property Intern

Looking at the career paths of Purdue University graduates with a degree in Chemistry, it's clear that many folks tend to land jobs that are directly tied to their major. Jobs like Research Assistants, QC Chemists, and Chemists at various companies showcase how these graduates apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings. Positions at Argonne National Laboratory and Eli Lilly & Company are prime examples of individuals who are heavily involved in scientific research and development, which makes perfect sense considering their education in chemistry. These roles require them to use their chemistry expertise daily, engaging in tasks that really hinge on the skills and knowledge they gained during their studies.

However, it's also apparent that not all graduates remain in chemistry-related fields. Some ended up in roles that don't directly involve chemistry, such as logistics, administration, and even law. While these positions may allow them to utilize some analytical skills or problem-solving abilities honed during their chemistry education, they aren't utilizing the core chemistry knowledge. So, in summary, while many Purdue graduates find relevant and fulfilling careers in chemistry, quite a few have ventured into roles where their chemistry degree is less applicable, highlighting a mixed bag of outcomes after graduation.

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

What kind of career trajectories do Chemistry graduates from Purdue University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of Purdue University chemistry graduates, it's clear that they often kick off their professional lives with roles directly related to their degree. For instance, many of the more recent graduates found their first jobs as research assistants, QC chemists, or engineering specialists at prestigious institutions and companies like Argonne National Laboratory, Pfizer, and Eli Lilly. These early roles tend to focus on applying their chemistry knowledge in practical settings, whether that's through research, quality control, or development processes. Overall, it seems that the majority of graduates land in positions that help them solidify their expertise in the field.

As we look further down the road to five or ten years post-graduation, the picture remains largely positive. Many alumni are gravitating towards mid to senior-level roles within reputable companies, indicating career growth and a strong foundation built on their Purdue education. For instance, some have transitioned from initial positions as chemists to staff scientists or engineering managers, and others have moved into more unique fields like intellectual property and law, showing a diversification of career paths. While there are some individuals who have strayed from traditional chemistry roles into areas like logistics or residence life coordination, the overall trend suggests that a significant number of graduates remain closely linked to the scientific industry and are thriving in their respective careers. So, if you're considering a degree in Chemistry from Purdue, it looks like a solid investment in your future!

How hard is a Chemistry degree from Purdue University?

Getting a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, whether at Purdue or pretty much anywhere else, can be pretty challenging. You’re diving into a lot of complex concepts, like organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and analytical techniques, which can be pretty intense and require a strong grasp of math and science. Purdue is known for having a solid program, and while they offer great resources and support, you’ll still have to put in some serious studying and be ready to tackle tough lab work. It’s not impossible, but it definitely demands your time and effort. If you love science and are passionate about chemistry, though, it can also be super rewarding!

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 Chemistry.

Do Chemistry graduates from Purdue University tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Purdue Chemistry grads, it seems like they're doing pretty well for themselves overall. Many of them are landing solid positions at well-known companies like Argonne National Laboratory, Northrop Grumman, and Eli Lilly, which usually pay decent salaries, especially as they gain experience and move up into management roles like System Engineering Manager or Senior Scientist. Some took a bit of a winding path early on with internships and entry-level positions, but that’s pretty normal. The mix of research roles and engineering jobs suggests they’re likely making a comfortable living as they build their careers. So yeah, it looks like they’re in a good spot financially!

What buzzwords do Chemistry 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 Chemistry (this is across all Chemistry graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Purdue University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Chemistry?

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

College	Score	Count
University of California, Santa Cruz	88	10
University of California, Davis	86	11
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	85	19
Texas A&M University	83	11
Georgia State University	82	11
Purdue University	80	11
Virginia Commonwealth University	80	15
The Ohio State University	79	13
University of Pittsburgh	78	12
The University of Texas at Austin	76	15
Penn State University	75	11
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	75	19
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities	73	10
University of Wisconsin-Madison	70	12
University of Washington	67	15
Emory University	62	10
Florida International University	60	10
UC Santa Barbara	46	10
Texas Tech University	42	10