2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
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 Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,050. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $87,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $70,659. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $70,797. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $85,847. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $78,323 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #6 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $18,342 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Mcneese State University earned the #7 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Students borrow a median of $24,433 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $46,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #8 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $69,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #9 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $76,685. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,324. Chemical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $57,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #11 for value in chemical engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $22,244. Chemical Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $98,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Mississippi State University placed #12 among the best values for chemical engineering. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,298 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $78,183. Set against $23,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #13 for value in chemical engineering this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $60,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #14 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $63,886 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of South Alabama placed #15 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,500. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $71,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas landed the #16 spot for chemical engineering value this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $75,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky earned the #17 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $65,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,308 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Louisville earned the #18 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $70,675. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Vanderbilt University placed #19 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $75,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee placed #20 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $76,302 early in their careers. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #21 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,500. Chemical Engineering graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $74,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #22 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $79,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Clemson University landed the #23 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $75,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #24 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,132, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $60,528. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #25 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $17,733 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $85,772 early in their careers. Set against $17,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for chemical engineering this year:
Narrow Chemical Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
