2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
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
For return on investment in chemical engineering, no school beat Thomas Jefferson University this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $32,256. Chemical Engineering graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $64,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $26,548. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $73,072. Set against $26,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $26,548. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $73,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,548 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $81,721. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Widener University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $71,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #6 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College placed #7 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $17,000. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University came in at #9 for value in chemical engineering this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $82,435. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Drexel University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,860 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $81,238. Set against $30,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bucknell University landed the #11 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $80,653 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bucknell University admits about 29% of applicants.
Villanova University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,379. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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 · 13 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemical engineering education at a price that pays off.
