Chemistry at NIU
Bachelor of Science

Discover chemical reactions that define our lives.

Chemical processes affect everything, from leaves changing color in the fall to our bodies converting food into energy. As a chemistry major, you'll learn about the elements that make up the world and explore how they combine and react. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to contribute to education, research and products that improve people’s lives.

I'm majoring in chemistry because I found the subject very interesting in high school. I like that there are no definite answers in chemistry and so many new things to learn.

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What Can I Do With a Chemistry Degree From NIU?

Chemists generally work in research in settings such as manufacturing, agriculture, education and government/nonprofit organizations. You can also teach chemistry at a junior/senior high school or attend medical or another professional school.

Top skills reported by alumni:

  • Chromatography
  • New product development
  • Quality control
  • Research
  • Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy

Top fields alumni work in:

  • Consumer goods
  • Health care
  • Information technology 
  • Life sciences
  • Manufacturing

Career Potential for NIU Chemistry Majors

Average mid-career salary:

$82,070

Top employers include:

  • Argonne National Laboratory
  • BASF
  • Baxter International, Inc. 
  • Bayer
  • Northwestern Medicine
  • Pfizer

Job titles include:

  • Analytical chemist 
  • Quality control chemist
  • Senior chemist
  • Senior scientist
  • Software applications specialist

Source: Steppingblocks, 2023

What to Expect as a Chemistry Major at NIU

You'll learn from faculty with research expertise in many areas, such as cancer therapy, drug design and the molecular basis of aging. You can choose the degree emphasis that best meets your goals:

  • Biochemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Chemistry for pre-professionals
  • Secondary teaching

Explore chemistry courses.

How We’ll Help You Succeed

Apply for free and we’ll automatically consider you for a renewable merit scholarship.

Earn your bachelor’s degree fast with our affordable tuition and fees. Any credit hours you take over 12 are free (per semester).

Prepare to thrive after graduation with personalized support from Career Services.

With our truth-in-tuition policy, you’ll get the same fixed tuition rate for four continuous years, whether you live in Illinois or another state.

Apply to NIU

First-year Students
(Freshman)

High School GPA

3.0 or higher?

You're guaranteed general NIU admission.

ACT/SAT SCORES

Not considered.

We think your high school GPA is a better predictor of your success.

First-Year Application

Add us to your common app list

First-Year Application

Add us to your common app list

Transfer Students

ALL COLLEGES GPA

2.0 or higher?

You're guaranteed general NIU admission.

ALL COLLEGES GPA

3.0 or higher?

You're guaranteed a
renewable merit scholarship
.

See how your credits transfer

Apply to NIU as a Transfer Student

See how your credits transfer

Apply to NIU as a Transfer Student

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