text: best schools in chemistry?   this may produce more questions than answers for you  :)  it depends on what kind of chemistry you want to study... bio-chemistry; pharmaceuticals; textiles-chemistry; packaging sciences; etc. etc.  in new york state there are many chemistry programs: st. john's university has a pharmaceutical program... queens college of the city university of new york has a biochemistry program (also with a connection to psychology); rochester institute has a packaging sciences program; state univeristy of new york at stonybrook has a medical program with connected hospital.  if you're not sure which branch(es) of chemistry you want to study, do some research on university laboratories and research facilities.  i'm sure they are all "state-of-the-art" and "award-winning", but just reading about the various ones should help narrow down your decisions.  :)