Iowa is home to three high-quality schools that give you the chance to earn a degree in chemical engineering. There are two schools that offer Associate's degree programs. Two Iowa schools award Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees, and PhDs. The average cost of tuition in Iowa is $10,600 per semester.
If you are pursuing a degree for the first time, you can go for your Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree. A Bachelor's degree is the more popular choice, as it is required for most entry-level engineering jobs. Your curriculum will likely be full of challenging and rigorous engineering courses like Cell & Tissue Engineering, Chemical Process Control, and Biomass Refinery Operations.
Lab time is a critical component of your engineering education, so be sure to get into the lab as often as you can. Lab hours give you the opportunity to work with engineering materials, chemicals, and engineering techniques.
There are two post-graduate degree options you can pursue if you want to work in chemical engineering research. A Master's degree only takes two years. However, a PhD requires about seven years, since you must write and defend a thesis.
Generally speaking, Iowa has very affordable tuition rates, much like other Midwestern states. Northeast Iowa Community College has one of the lowest tuition rates in the state—students pay $5,248 per year. The University of Iowa has some of the highest tuition rates in the state, although there are many financial aid opportunities. Residents pay $3,339 per semester and non-residents pay $12,774 per semester.
The University of Iowa Foundation has many different engineering scholarships, including the Peter L. Berntsen Graduate Scholarship Fund, the David R. Buchanan Scholarship, and the James & Marie Buck Scholarship.
After you graduate with a Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, you can begin the process of earning your Professional Engineer license. All Professional Engineer licensure goes through the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau. After you pass the Principles & Practice of Engineering exam, you can get your license.
There are many professional development opportunities in Iowa. The Iowa Engineering Society offers continuing education opportunities, networking events, and job boards.