2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Colorado
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general chemistry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan State College Of Denver the best value for a degree in general chemistry in Colorado. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $29,318 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $34,417. Set against $29,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Fort Lewis College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $15,417. General Chemistry graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $34,159 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,365 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,365 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,626 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $45,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #5 makes Colorado State University Fort Collins one of the best values for general chemistry. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $19,062 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $63,896. That is a strong return on a $19,062 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #6 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $72,394 early in their careers. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $76,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
More General Chemistry Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
