2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general chemistry schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the Southwest 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
Leading the list is Texas A And M International University, our #1 best value for general chemistry in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $22,913. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $12,412 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $12,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Lamar University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #5 place for general chemistry. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Blinn College came in at #6 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,835 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,700. Set against $20,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #8 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,925. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $38,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #9 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Houston landed the #10 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $50,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University earned the #11 position for value in general chemistry this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $40,845 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #12 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #13 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,759. General Chemistry graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Prairie View A And M University placed #14 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #15 position for value in general chemistry this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,885 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $38,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $31,419 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #17 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $23,151 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $38,006. That is a strong return on a $23,151 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #18 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,245. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $43,013. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #20 spot for general chemistry value this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,747 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $48,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,343 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $30,122. That is a strong return on a $26,343 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University earned the #22 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $28,775 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $43,940 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #23 for value in general chemistry this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $42,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #24 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $72,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Tech University landed the #25 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,243. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $31,573. Set against $27,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Chemistry Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general chemistry value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
