Facts and Rankings
Exceptional Education
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Illinois is known around the world for its outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs. A hallmark of our undergraduate experience is an emphasis on design projects, undergraduate research opportunities, and internships/co-ops that lead to job offers. Our alumni include many legendary leaders in academia and industry.
Our department is a unit within the School of Chemical Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which evolved from the Department of Chemistry as an applied science. The department has close ties to The Grainger College of Engineering, a top-ranked engineering school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Our students get the best of both worlds, taking advantage of opportunities within both colleges.
About our students
Undergraduates*
| Total students | 496 |
| Underrepresented | 12% |
| Women | 35% |
| International | 10% |
*Class Profile Fall 2024
Graduate students*
| Total students | 157 |
| Underrepresented | 10% |
| Women | 36% |
| International | 62% |
$82,560
average annual salary for undergraduate students
with an average signing bonus of $6,000
$111,375
average annual salary for graduate students
with jobs in industry or government
*Based on data gathered from graduates in the 2022-2023 Illini Success report and/or by the School of Chemical Sciences Career Services.
Enrollment and Degrees Awarded
Undergraduate
| Year | Total Enrollment | BS Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 500 | 104 |
| 2021-2022 | 541 | 189 |
| 2020-2021 | 589 | 156 |
| 2019-2020 | 628 | 143 |
| 2018-2019 | 653 | 149 |
| 2017-2018 | 688 | 194 |
| 2016-2017 | 700 | 161 |
| 2015-2016 | 700 | 122 |
| 2014-2015 | 706 | 159 |
| 2013-2014 | 688 | 120 |
| 2012-2013 | 549 | 97 |
| 2011-2012 | 540 | 105 |
| 2010-2011 | 514 | 109 |
Graduate
| Year | Total Enrollment | Ph.D. Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 131 | 23 |
| 2021-2022 | 136 | 31 |
| 2020-2021 | 128 | 22 |
| 2019-2020 | 115 | 12 |
| 2018-2019 | 103 | 9 |
| 2017-2018 | 103 | 16 |
| 2016-2017 | 94 | 16 |
| 2015-2016 | 87 | 14 |
| 2014-2015 | 84 | 15 |
| 2013-2014 | 100 | 26 |
| 2012-2013 | 107 | 11 |
| 2011-2012 | 104 | 17 |
| 2010-2011 | 108 | 9 |
2022-2023 Illini Success Report
100%
of graduates secured a first destination
80%
of undergraduates report that they are employed
20%
of undergraduates are pursuing continuing education
Where do our graduates go?
Check out our Career Services Illini Success webpage for information on graduate salaries, placements, and a map of where our graduates work throughout the U.S.