[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 405 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general chemistry schools.
Finding the Best Value General Chemistry School for You
The general chemistry program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value General Chemistry Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Chemistry Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in general chemistry in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #3. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for general chemistry. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #5. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $13,303. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $34,239. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $18,675. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $45,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #7 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $16,553 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #8 position for value in general chemistry this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $11,000. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hunter College landed the #10 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,340. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University placed #12 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $15,095. General Chemistry graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $14,824 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $54,389 early in their careers. Set against $14,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Irvine Valley College earned the #14 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #15 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $12,136 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $31,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Oxnard College came in at #16 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Cypress College earned the #17 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Utah Valley University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $5,707. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University East Bay earned the #20 position for value in general chemistry this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $18,073. General Chemistry graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Golden West College earned the #21 position for value in general chemistry this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $39,771. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Santa Ana College earned the #23 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #24 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $22,913. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cerritos College earned the #25 position for value in general chemistry this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $11,306. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Chemistry Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general chemistry this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Chemistry. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 405 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 405 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).
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
