[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 364 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general chemistry students.
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for general chemistry in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #2. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,202. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $44,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. 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. General Chemistry graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $34,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for general chemistry. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $18,675 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $45,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,675 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $16,553 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $40,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $44,944. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College landed the #7 spot for general chemistry value this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. 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. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University earned the #8 position for value in general chemistry this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #9 for value in general chemistry this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,136 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $31,815. That is a strong return on a $12,136 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Florida earned the #10 position for value in general chemistry this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $14,824 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $25,418. That is a strong return on a $14,824 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Utah Valley University earned the #11 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
California State University East Bay earned the #12 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #13 among the best values for general chemistry. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $22,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #14 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. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $39,771. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Murray State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $48,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $19,677. General Chemistry graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #17 position for value in general chemistry this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,706 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $43,634. Set against $19,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #18 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,680 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,553. Set against $15,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #19 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $11,953. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $32,143. That is a strong return on a $11,953 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #21 spot for general chemistry value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,749 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $42,581. That is a strong return on a $27,749 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #22 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,013. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $29,399. Set against $16,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #23 spot for general chemistry value this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $26,988. General Chemistry graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Channel Islands landed the #25 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $46,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Chemistry Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general chemistry this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 364 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 364 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
