Best Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Schools

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the best undergraduate schools for Chemical Engineering (ChemE), focusing on institutions that are not typically highlighted as top-tier, such as MIT or Cal Tech. Participants share personal experiences and opinions on various universities, their rankings, and the reputation of their ChemE programs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest checking rankings from sources like US News and World Report for insights on ChemE programs.
  • One participant highlights the University of Minnesota (UMN) as a well-regarded institution for ChemE, noting its high rankings and strong faculty support.
  • Another participant mentions the University of Akron, emphasizing its strong polymer engineering program and competitive rankings compared to top schools.
  • Michigan Tech is mentioned as having a good ChemE program with strong ties to chemical companies, providing real-world experience.
  • The University of Virginia is noted as a strong option based on a participant's sister's research.
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and California Polytechnic, Pomona are queried for their ChemE programs, with some participants affirming their quality.
  • One participant claims that UMN is often ranked in the top 5 for ChemE, with some rankings placing it as high as 1st.
  • A participant shares personal experience of applying to RPI for graduate studies but ultimately choosing UMN, suggesting both are reputable institutions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of opinions on the best ChemE schools, with no consensus reached on a definitive ranking or selection of schools. Multiple competing views on the quality of various programs remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference rankings and personal experiences, but there is no agreement on specific criteria for determining the "best" school, and the discussion reflects a range of subjective evaluations.

Wellesley
Messages
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3
I'm curious about what people consider is the best ChemE school. What schools do employers like to see applicants come from? This list excludes MIT, Cal Tech and other premier schools that are already rather obvious.

Thanks for all suggestions.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Try doing a search at US News and World Report
 
Try http://www.cems.umn.edu/academics/chen/index.php"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Cyclovenom said:
Try http://www.cems.umn.edu/academics/chen/index.php"

Why did you pick this school? Was it from personal experience?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Well, I did my undergrad in Civil Engineering at another university. Currently, I am doing my grad studies there at the Civil Eng Department. The university so far is great. Lots of smart people and well prepared faculty. They are nice and willing to help you learn.

The Chemical Engineering department at UMN is well known. You should definitely check it out.
 
Cyclovenom said:
The Chemical Engineering department at UMN is well known. You should definitely check it out.

Thanks! I'll take a look at their website.
 
The University of Akron.
It's a small school, it's worth checking out.
It's currently the school I'm attending for Chem.E. and they're proficient and are ranked as high as well as higher than some schools such as MIT, polymers being one of such the cases of where they are ranked either 1st or 2nd.
 
withthemotive said:
The University of Akron.
It's a small school, it's worth checking out.
It's currently the school I'm attending for Chem.E. and they're proficient and are ranked as high as well as higher than some schools such as MIT, polymers being one of such the cases of where they are ranked either 1st or 2nd.

Yup, UA is pretty strong in research. I think it's polymer eng. is 2nd in the nation. Definitely worth a look!
 
Michigan Tech has a good Chem Eng program. It works very closely with a lot of chemical companies so you get real world experience too.
 
  • #10
When my sister was looking at schools for ChemE, one of the better was the University of Virginia.
 
  • #11
Has anyone ever heard of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? Or California Polytechnic, Pomona? Do they have good ChemE programs?
 
  • #12
Cyclovenom said:
Well, I did my undergrad in Civil Engineering at another university. Currently, I am doing my grad studies there at the Civil Eng Department. The university so far is great. Lots of smart people and well prepared faculty. They are nice and willing to help you learn.

The Chemical Engineering department at UMN is well known. You should definitely check it out.

Most "rankings" put UMNs Chem Eng program in the top 5 (I've seen it listed as high as 1 in some rankings). Thus, I would classify UMN as more of a premier school rather than a "good, but not top 10 school".

My brother, who got his Masters in Chemical Engineering from Purdue (and is now working towards his PhD), claims that UMN is definitely top 3.
 
  • #13
Wellesley said:
Has anyone ever heard of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? Or California Polytechnic, Pomona? Do they have good ChemE programs?

Yeah, I know of RPI. In fact, I applied to RPI for my grad studies. I got accepted, but I decided to go UMN.

Both UMN and RPI are good schools.
 

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