2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the Southeast Region

[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the Southeast Region
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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general chemistry schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,824 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $54,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Murray State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $48,334. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #3 place for general chemistry. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,706 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $43,634. That is a strong return on a $19,706 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Kentucky University earned it the #5 place for general chemistry. 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, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $25,572. General Chemistry graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,953 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $32,143 early in their careers. Set against $11,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $29,399. That is a strong return on a $16,013 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #8 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. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #9 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $14,250. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $51,671. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #10 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $28,660. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #11 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $63,832. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University came in at #12 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $41,449. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #13 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $35,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia earned the #14 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $18,318. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #15 for value in general chemistry this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,162. General Chemistry graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $31,663 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,162 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Shepherd University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,326 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shepherd University admits about 97% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #17 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Austin Peay State University landed the #18 spot for general chemistry value this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,500. General Chemistry graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $42,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Alabama landed the #19 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $24,830 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $49,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #20 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,584 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $34,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,766 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $35,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,766 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Memphis earned the #22 position for value in general chemistry this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $36,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #23 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $42,572. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #24 for value in general chemistry this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,499. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #25 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $42,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Chemistry Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general chemistry this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 94 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.