2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States 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
For return on investment in chemical engineering, no school beat Missouri University Of Science And Technology this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $78,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,495 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $73,245. That is a strong return on a $25,495 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,500. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $63,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,816. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $79,603 early in their careers. Set against $27,816 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $76,184. That is a strong return on a $20,188 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #6 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $77,492. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #7 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,915 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $67,152 early in their careers. Set against $26,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Dakota earned the #8 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,950 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $73,112 early in their careers. Set against $26,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #9 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,825. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $69,950. Set against $27,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology placed #10 among the best values for chemical engineering. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology generally make around $72,785. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #11 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $75,340 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #12 for value in chemical engineering this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $19,500. Chemical Engineering graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $69,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemical engineering education at a price that pays off.
