Idaho can be a great state for prospective chemical engineering students, since this state is home to three engineering schools! Two schools have Associate’s-level programs; the third school has Bachelor’s-level, Master’s-level, and PhD programs. The average cost of tuition in Idaho is $5,600 per semester.
The field of chemical engineering requires you to work closely with potentially dangerous chemicals and materials, which is why a great education is so important! You can start your career with a Bachelor’s degree, which typically takes between four and five years. By the time you graduate, you’ll have completed 120 credits in courses like Chemical Reaction Engineering, Introduction to Polymers, and Circuit Theory. Most courses include a lecture component and a lab component; this allows you to build your theoretical knowledge and practical skills at the same time.
Advanced degrees may be required for managerial roles and research careers. Beyond your Bachelor’s degree, you can spend two years earning a Master’s degree or five to seven years earning a PhD. These degrees have many courses in common! Post-graduate classes include Chemical Reactor Analysis & Design, Air Pollution Engineering & Control, and Chemical Engineering Kinetics.
Idaho, in general, is a very affordable state for students. The College of Southern Idaho is one of the lowest-priced schools in the state. Residents pay $110 per credit, out-of-county residents pay $160 per credit, and out-of-state students pay $280 per credit. The University of Idaho is a bit more expensive. Residents must pay $6,524 semester and non-residents must pay $19,600 per semester.
Applying for scholarships early and often can help you maximize your financial aid opportunities. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Idaho awards $1,000 scholarships each year.
If you want to become licensed as a Professional Engineer—which is a requirement for many engineering jobs—you can pursue your license through the Idaho Board of Licensure of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. You can get your license after passing the NCEES exam.
Idaho has many professional resources for engineers, including the Idaho/Montana Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. This group’s resources can help you take your education further and increase your earning potential. Currently, O*Net reports that the average salary for a chemical engineer in Idaho is $100,200 per year.