Any insights on chemical engineering rankings?

I'm thinking about pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. How important are program rankings when choosing a college? Would love to hear any personal experiences or suggestions on where to look for more information.

Choosing a program that ranks highly for your chosen major, in this case, chemical engineering, can certainly have its benefits. These programs typically possess strong faculty, well-equipped facilities, rigorous academic standards, and strong connections in the industry.

However, a school's ranking shouldn't be the sole basis of your decision. Look beyond the rankings and consider other factors like overall cost, geographic location, size of the student body, internships/co-op opportunities, research opportunities, faculty-to-student ratio, campus culture, extracurricular activities, and financial aid options. Another important factor can be the strength of a school's career services office.

In terms of rankings specifically for chemical engineering, U.S. News & World Report releases annual rankings for graduate engineering programs. While these are for graduate schools, they can provide a decent starting point for undergrad programs as well. Another source can be QS World University Rankings which publishes subject rankings, including chemical engineering.

Remember that rankings are put together using various methodologies and criteria, so they can fluctuate over time. It's important to look deeper into what specifically the ranking considers as well. For example, some rankings are more research-focused, others prioritize teaching, and so on.

Some strong chemical engineering programs include those at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California--Berkeley, and Stanford University. But there are many strong programs around the country (and the world), including some at less well-known universities.

Finally, one idea might be to reach out to professionals in your network who are in the field of chemical engineering, or find someone on LinkedIn who might be willing to chat with you about their advice for selecting a program. They might be able to provide additional insights that rankings and publications cannot.