2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Iowa

[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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general chemistry schools.
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2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Iowa
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
Grinnell College earned the #1 spot for value among general chemistry schools in Iowa. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $17,154. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $57,326. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Luther College earned it the #3 place for general chemistry. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Students borrow a median of $26,967 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. Set against $26,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $25,956. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $44,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Drake University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $22,273. General Chemistry graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.