Cosmetic Chemist Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a cosmetic chemist. Cosmetic chemists usually study chemistry, biology, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 63% of cosmetic chemists hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 75 real cosmetic chemist resumes to see exactly what cosmetic chemist education sections show.

The most common colleges for cosmetic chemists are the Stockton University and the Stockton University.

There are also many online cosmetic chemist courses to help get the education required to be a cosmetic chemist.

What education do you need to become a cosmetic chemist?

What degree do you need to be a cosmetic chemist?

The most common degree for cosmetic chemists is bachelor's degree, with 63% of cosmetic chemists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 18% and master's degree degree at 12%.
  • Bachelor's, 63%
  • Master's, 18%
  • Associate, 12%
  • License, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a cosmetic chemist?

You should major in chemistry to become a cosmetic chemist. 42% of cosmetic chemists major in chemistry. Other common majors for a cosmetic chemist include biology and biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology.

Most common colleges for cosmetic chemists

Cosmetic chemists often get their degrees at Stockton University, College of Charleston, and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Here are the most common colleges for cosmetic chemists in the US based on their resumes.
Cosmetic Chemist Common College
ascdesc
Percentages
ascdesc
Stockton University7.69%
College of Charleston7.69%
Fairleigh Dickinson University7.69%
Miami Dade College7.69%
American InterContinental University7.69%

Best majors for cosmetic chemists

Best colleges for cosmetic chemists

The best colleges for cosmetic chemists are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

A cosmetic chemist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cosmetic chemists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become cosmetic chemists.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

Website

www.usc.edu/

Address

University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0012

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $61,400 per year

Net Price: $30,453 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 12.96%
SAT Average - 1445
ACT Average - 32
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Pharmacy
Chemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-State Tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

Website

https://umich.edu/

Address

2074 Fleming Administration Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $55,900 per year

Net Price: $16,010 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 22.83%
SAT Average - 1434
ACT Average - 32
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Chemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology
Pharmacy

3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

Website

www.unc.edu

Address

103 South Bldg Campus Box 9100, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $49,900 per year

Net Price: $13,918 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 22.71%
SAT Average - 1398
ACT Average - 31
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Chemistry
Pharmacy
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology

4. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

Website

www.berkeley.edu

Address

200 California Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-1500

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $57,600 per year

Net Price: $14,846 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 14.84%
SAT Average - 1448
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

Website

www.columbia.edu

Address

535 West 116th Street, New York, NY 10027

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $77,900 per year

Net Price: $22,637 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 5.91%
SAT Average - 1512
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Chemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology

20 best online courses for cosmetic chemists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for cosmetic chemists

The most affordable schools for cosmetic chemists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for cosmetic chemists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for cosmetic chemists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,381

Cost of Attendance

21,034

Website

www.ufl.edu/

Address

300 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $47,700 per year

Net Price: $8,057 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 38.75%
SAT Average - 1362
ACT Average - 30
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Pharmacy
Chemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,182

Cost of Attendance

13,998

Website

www.hunter.cuny.edu

Address

695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10021

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $39,300 per year

Net Price: $2,796 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 36.42%
SAT Average - 1240
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Chemistry
Business
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,309

Cost of Attendance

16,714

Website

www.csub.edu

Address

9001 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $39,100 per year

Net Price: $5,687 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 23.02%
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology
Chemistry

4. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,410

Cost of Attendance

20,456

Website

www.usf.edu

Address

4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620-9951

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $39,400 per year

Net Price: $9,838 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 42.63%
SAT Average - 1265
ACT Average - 28
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Pharmacy
Chemistry

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,656

Cost of Attendance

21,623

Website

www.fsu.edu

Address

222 South Copeland Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1470

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $39,700 per year

Net Price: $10,744 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 36.78%
SAT Average - 1289
ACT Average - 28
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for cosmetic chemists

The hardest universities for cosmetic chemists to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for cosmetic chemists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for cosmetic chemists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

6%

SAT Average

1,512

Website

www.columbia.edu

Address

535 West 116th Street, New York, NY 10027

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $77,900 per year

Net Price: $22,637 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 5.91%
SAT Average - 1512
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Chemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Materials Sciences

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions Rate

10%

SAT Average

1,514

Website

www.vanderbilt.edu

Address

2101 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37240

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $61,900 per year

Net Price: $20,253 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 9.61%
SAT Average - 1514
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology
Chemistry

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,492

Website

www.upenn.edu

Address

1 College Hall, Room 100, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $91,200 per year

Net Price: $25,033 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.41%
SAT Average - 1492
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

17%

SAT Average

1,507

Website

www.cmu.edu/

Address

5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $84,000 per year

Net Price: $32,674 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 17.12%
SAT Average - 1507
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Chemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cosmetic chemists

The easiest schools for cosmetic chemists to get into are D'Youville College, barry university, and university of the incarnate word.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cosmetic chemist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for cosmetic chemists.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

100%

SAT Average

1,072

Website

www.dyc.edu

Address

320 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201-1084

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $50,600 per year

Net Price: $20,345 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 99.60%
SAT Average - 1072
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Pharmacy
Business
Chemistry

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions Rate

91%

SAT Average

1,006

Website

www.barry.edu

Address

11300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $43,700 per year

Net Price: $17,937 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 91.25%
SAT Average - 1006
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Medical Technician
Chemistry

3. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions Rate

88%

SAT Average

1,044

Website

www.uiw.edu

Address

4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,000 per year

Net Price: $23,441 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 87.94%
SAT Average - 1044
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Pharmacy
Chemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions Rate

90%

SAT Average

994

Website

www.notredamecollege.edu

Address

4545 College Rd, Cleveland, OH 44121-4293

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $37,000 per year

Net Price: $21,651 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 89.65%
SAT Average - 994
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Chemistry
English

5. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions Rate

71%

SAT Average

1,035

Website

https://www.stritch.edu

Address

6801 N Yates Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217-3985

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $46,400 per year

Net Price: $18,040 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 70.94%
SAT Average - 1035
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Medical Technician
English

Average cosmetic chemist salary by education level

According to our data, cosmetic chemists with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $73,421 annually. Cosmetic chemists with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $62,804.
Cosmetic Chemist education level
ascdesc
Cosmetic Chemist salary
ascdesc
Master's Degree$62,804
Bachelor's Degree$54,735
Doctorate Degree$73,421

Cosmetic Chemist Education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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