by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemical Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/chemical-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value chemical physics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemical physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for chemical physics in the United States. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in chemical physics will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $16,100. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $16,100 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Bowdoin College one of the best values for chemical physics. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $20,658. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $58,938. Set against $20,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
University Of California Davis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical physics, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the chemical physics program here. Chemical Physics graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $42,204 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for chemical physics. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $21,238. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $46,140. That is a strong return on a $21,238 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Harvard University placed #6 among the best values for chemical physics. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical physics schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $16,552 to complete the chemical physics program here. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $39,614. Set against $16,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Centre College placed #8 among the best values for chemical physics. Set in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,820. Students borrow a median of $26,560 to complete the chemical physics program here. Chemical Physics graduates of Centre College earn a median of $32,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,560 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific Lutheran University earned the #9 position for value in chemical physics this year. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,916. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $49,181. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #10 position for value in chemical physics this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $28,481 to complete the chemical physics program here. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $39,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent placed #11 among the best values for chemical physics. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the chemical physics program here. Chemical Physics graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $39,790 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The College Of Wooster came in at #12 for value in chemical physics this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,640. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $27,000. Chemical Physics graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Brown University landed the #13 spot for chemical physics value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Chemical Physics graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #14 among the best values for chemical physics. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $20,373. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $72,394. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College earned the #15 position for value in chemical physics this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $48,902. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical physics schools. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $25,510. Chemical Physics graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $47,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,510 median debt. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #17 position for value in chemical physics this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California landed the #18 spot for chemical physics value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University landed the #19 spot for chemical physics value this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the chemical physics program here. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Explore the best-value chemical physics schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.