2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Virginia

[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general chemistry schools.
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2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Virginia
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
Our analysis ranked Radford University the best value for a degree in general chemistry in Virginia. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $50,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of William And Mary earned it the #3 place for general chemistry. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $19,500. General Chemistry graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $35,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $19,425 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $30,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mary Washington earned it the #5 place for general chemistry. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,739 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $43,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,739 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,332 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $45,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,332 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Christopher Newport University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,828, with out-of-state students paying around $31,178. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $39,245. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University landed the #8 spot for general chemistry value this year. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #9 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $21,872 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $38,571 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #10 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,497 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $45,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Richmond landed the #11 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $65,230. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $22,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.