2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 214 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value chemical engineering schools.
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2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,050 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $87,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #2 place for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Stanford University one of the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,157 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $59,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Rice University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $13,178. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $87,830. That is a strong return on a $13,178 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #6 position for value in chemical engineering this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $45,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #7 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $57,540. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,624. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $85,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Arizona State University came in at #10 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $78,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,205. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $76,680. That is a strong return on a $18,205 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
San Jose State University came in at #12 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $81,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,155. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $81,553. That is a strong return on a $18,155 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #15 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $86,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #16 among the best values for chemical engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $22,850. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $77,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #17 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,244 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $114,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Arizona came in at #18 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $73,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #19 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $51,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $25,495 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $73,245. Set against $25,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #21 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,437 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $92,412. Set against $26,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware placed #22 among the best values for chemical engineering. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,058 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $80,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $77,455. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #24 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $76,302. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Cleveland State University earned the #25 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in chemical engineering:
Other Chemical Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Chemical Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Chemical Engineering Rankings >
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 · 214 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
