2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Pennsylvania
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general chemistry education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general chemistry students.
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2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,128. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $45,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $50,524. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $36,597 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. Set against $26,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Haverford College landed the #7 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,398 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,966 ten years after entry. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Temple University came in at #9 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,000. General Chemistry graduates of Temple University earn a median of $42,022 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Muhlenberg College placed #10 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $26,259. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $35,641. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Muhlenberg College admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #11 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,000. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $57,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Bryn Mawr College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,920. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $35,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $52,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Franklin And Marshall College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $70,794. Students borrow a median of $20,411 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Franklin And Marshall College generally make around $43,020. Set against $20,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Dickinson College placed #16 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,650. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $19,014. General Chemistry graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,014 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Duquesne University landed the #17 spot for general chemistry value this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $54,826. That is a strong return on a $26,297 median debt. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
Drexel University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $29,667. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $49,215. That is a strong return on a $29,667 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Villanova University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $26,184. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $77,371. Set against $26,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
