by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemical engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value chemical engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned it the #2 place for chemical engineering. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Students borrow a median of $26,437 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $79,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rowan University earned it the #3 place for chemical engineering. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,863 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $61,045. Set against $23,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at Rutgers University New Brunswick, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $78,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Stevens Institute Of Technology one of the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,686 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $79,339. That is a strong return on a $26,686 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.