2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts Lowell earned the #1 spot for value among chemical engineering schools in Massachusetts. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $77,380. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Massachusetts Institute Of Technology one of the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $109,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #3 place for chemical engineering. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $72,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern University earned it the #4 place for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $85,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Tufts University one of the best values for chemical engineering. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $75,367 early in their careers. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute placed #6 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute generally make around $78,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester Polytechnic Institute admits about 60% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
