Chemical Engineering
What is chemical engineering?
Chemical engineers use chemistry, math, physics, and technology to design safe and efficient processes on a large scale. They might start by testing an idea in a lab, using computer models to predict how a process will work, and then help design the process that turns that idea into something useful in the real world. Traditional jobs include the chemical and petroleum industries, but chemical engineers are also increasingly needed in pharmaceuticals, materials, food processing, renewable energy, and biotechnology.
Why chemical engineering at OSU?
Our mission is to provide students with i) the highest-quality technical education, balancing fundamentals and practice; ii) advanced research opportunities that engage industry and impact society; iii) professional preparedness that creates leaders with high integrity, a strong work ethic, and a sense of personal responsibility; and iv) opportunities to engage with their communities. A degree in chemical engineering from OSU not only opens doors to many opportunities but also connects you to a strong community that will support you long after you leave the university.
Career paths
Professions in, but not limited to, the energy, manufacturing or medical fields with the following possible job titles:
- Process Engineer
- Production Engineer
- Field Engineer
- Project Manager
- Research & Development Engineer
- Biomedical Engineer
- Other: Law, Medicine, Venture Capitalism
92% FE EXAM PASS RATE FOR OSU CHEMICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS
The national average pass rate for the FE exam has been 85% since 1995.
Highlights
National Contenders
OSU’s award winning undergraduate chemical engineering program with ChE students consistently out-performs those from other programs across the nation as evidenced by the above average Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam results and national competitions.
- OSU is among the top 50 Public Universities in America, ranked by Niche in 2026. Over 70% of chemical engineering students receive financial aid from the university, and nearly 50% of OSU students graduate with no debt.
- Students in chemical engineering win many individual awards on campus and at the national level, including Gates Cambridge Scholarship, USA Today All-American Academic Award, Rhodes Scholarship Finalist, Goldwater Scholarship, and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
- Engineering laboratory courses are located in the new ENDEAVOR interdisciplinary laboratory building, which is on the leading edge of learning by providing students with a combined experience in engineering, advanced technology, and entrepreneurship.
- Industry partners work with students on interdisciplinary design projects, and students have success in the AIChE National Student Design Competition with the most team wins than any other school in the country.
- There are many opportunities to be involved in active professional societies, including the local chapters of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Society of Petroleum Engineers, and the American Association of Drilling Engineers, which connect students to professionals in the field and provide opportunities to attend national and international meetings.
- Students completing a degree in chemical engineering at OSU experience high job placement and acceptance rates to medical and graduate schools. Major employers include Chevron Phillips Chemical, ConocoPhillips, Continental Resources, Devon Energy, Expand Energy, ExxonMobil, Georgia-Pacific, HF Sinclair, PepsiCo, Phillips 66, Texas Instruments, Valero Energy, and Zeeco. Seven of our alumni have completed MS degrees at the University of Cambridge since 2006.
First-Class Faculty and Staff
All undergraduate chemical engineering courses are taught by award winning faculty with extensive industrial experience.
Scholarship Opportunities
The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology offers a variety of competitive scholarships. To learn more, view all CEAT scholarship opportunities.
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