2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Texas

[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
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2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
For return on investment in general chemistry, no school beat Texas A And M International University this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for general chemistry. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $22,913. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Austin Community College District came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $12,412. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Set against $12,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Lamar University one of the best values for general chemistry. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University earned the #6 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Blinn College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #8 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,835 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #9 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,925. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $38,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $50,717 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #11 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #12 position for value in general chemistry this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Prairie View A And M University earned the #13 position for value in general chemistry this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $29,824. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #14 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,151 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $38,006 early in their careers. Set against $23,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,747. General Chemistry graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $48,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Sam Houston State University landed the #16 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $28,775. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $43,940. That is a strong return on a $28,775 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $42,897. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Tech University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $27,243 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $31,573. That is a strong return on a $27,243 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #19 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $72,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
West Texas A And M University came in at #20 for value in general chemistry this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Austin College landed the #21 spot for general chemistry value this year. Austin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sherman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,121. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,264 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Austin College earn a median of $32,287 early in their careers. Set against $24,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #22 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $49,462. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Southern Methodist University placed #23 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $38,919. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University placed #24 among the best values for general chemistry. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,000. General Chemistry graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.