[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 366 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in chemistry in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,202. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $34,239 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $18,675 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $45,076. That is a strong return on a $18,675 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,553 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $40,402. That is a strong return on a $16,553 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #6 position for value in chemistry this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Hunter College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Texas A And M International University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #9 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $12,136. Chemistry graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $31,815 early in their careers. Set against $12,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Florida landed the #10 spot for chemistry value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $14,824 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $25,418. Set against $14,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Utah Valley University landed the #11 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
California State University East Bay landed the #12 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $18,073. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #13 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $22,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #14 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $39,771 early in their careers. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $11,492 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Murray State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #17 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #18 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,706. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $43,634. Set against $19,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #19 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $15,680. Chemistry graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,553 early in their careers. Set against $15,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #20 for value in chemistry this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,572. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University earned the #21 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,953 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $32,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,749. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,581. That is a strong return on a $27,749 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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%.
Lamar University placed #24 among the best values for chemistry. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #25 for value in chemistry this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,323. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemistry Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemistry value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 366 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 366 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).
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
