2026 Best Value Forensic Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Forensic Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/forensic-chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for forensic chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value Forensic Chemistry Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the forensic chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Forensic Chemistry Schools
Our analysis ranked Eastern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in forensic chemistry in the United States. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Forensic Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic chemistry degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $34,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #2 place for forensic chemistry. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,885 to complete the forensic chemistry program here. Forensic Chemistry graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $38,766 early in their careers. Set against $21,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forensic chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Forensic Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,824 in student loans. Early-career forensic chemistry graduates make about $26,513. Set against $20,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in forensic chemistry will find it at Towson University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Forensic Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic chemistry degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $52,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forensic chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $26,219 to complete the forensic chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, forensic chemistry degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $35,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earned the #6 position for value in forensic chemistry this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for forensic chemistry graduates is $28,375. Forensic Chemistry graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $35,098 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Kentucky ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic chemistry schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Forensic Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career forensic chemistry graduates make about $49,568. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Northern Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic chemistry schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the forensic chemistry program here. Forensic Chemistry graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic chemistry schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,775 to complete the forensic chemistry program here. Forensic Chemistry graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $43,940 early in their careers. Set against $28,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Alabama State University earned the #10 position for value in forensic chemistry this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,248 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,576 for out-of-state students. Forensic Chemistry graduates carry a median of $33,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic chemistry degree recipients from Alabama State University generally make around $37,721. Set against $33,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in forensic chemistry this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the forensic chemistry program here. Early-career forensic chemistry graduates make about $43,840. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
California Baptist University landed the #12 spot for forensic chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Forensic Chemistry graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic chemistry degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $51,999. That is a strong return on a $28,169 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University earned the #13 position for value in forensic chemistry this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Forensic Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career forensic chemistry graduates make about $42,022. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Scranton placed #14 among the best values for forensic chemistry. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. Forensic Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic chemistry degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $56,861. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.
Saint Anselm College earned the #15 position for value in forensic chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,920. Typical student debt for forensic chemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, forensic chemistry degree recipients from Saint Anselm College generally make around $48,228. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Anselm College admits about 78% of applicants.
Other Forensic Chemistry Degree Levels
Explore the best-value forensic chemistry schools at other degree levels:
View All Forensic Chemistry Rankings >
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
