2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
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2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
Indiana State University earned the #1 spot for value among general chemistry schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $23,081 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Set against $23,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $85,454. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,474 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,474 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Indiana University Southeast is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,482. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Michigan Technological University earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Stark State College landed the #8 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #9 for value in general chemistry this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $74,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #10 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $28,091. General Chemistry graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #11 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,590 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $35,813 early in their careers. Set against $21,590 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #12 for value in general chemistry this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,023. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $43,061. That is a strong return on a $23,023 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $66,397. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Western Illinois University placed #14 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $31,980. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #15 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $29,053. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Lake Superior State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #18 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $25,000. General Chemistry graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $46,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #19 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $66,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #20 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,245. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $47,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Cleveland State University placed #21 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,744. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $48,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #22 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. Set against $23,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University came in at #23 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $42,677. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for general chemistry. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $44,970. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Chemistry Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general chemistry value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
