2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
Leading the list is University Of Akron Main Campus, our #1 best value for chemical engineering in Ohio. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,168. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $71,873. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Toledo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $79,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $77,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #4. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,826 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $69,043 early in their careers. Set against $28,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for chemical engineering. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $67,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #6 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,333. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $82,372 early in their careers. Set against $21,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Miami University Oxford came in at #7 for value in chemical engineering this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $77,542. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Dayton placed #8 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Students borrow a median of $22,999 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $79,865. Set against $22,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #9 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $83,706. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
