by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general chemistry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Bowdoin College, our #1 best value for general chemistry in the New England Region. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $58,938. That is a strong return on a $20,658 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Colby College, which ranked #2. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Bridgewater State University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $55,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #5 place for general chemistry. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $96,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College came in at #7 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Williams College earn a median of $40,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Vermont came in at #8 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $22,607. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,607 median debt. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Keene State College came in at #9 for value in general chemistry this year. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,185 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $41,049. That is a strong return on a $26,185 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #10 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Amherst College placed #11 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $59,271. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #12 among the best values for general chemistry. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #13 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University earned the #14 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $65,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University earned the #15 position for value in general chemistry this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $62,820. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #16 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,767. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut placed #17 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,158 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $52,216. Set against $26,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College earned the #18 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $48,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Boston University placed #19 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $39,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College landed the #20 spot for general chemistry value this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Students borrow a median of $22,041 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $35,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Western New England University landed the #21 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,820. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,520 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Western New England University generally make around $64,056. That is a strong return on a $25,520 median debt. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants.
Smith College placed #22 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $18,941. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,436. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Dartmouth College landed the #23 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,989. General Chemistry graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Saint Joseph College earned the #24 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,278. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Saint Joseph College generally make around $75,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Wesleyan University earned the #25 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general chemistry:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.