by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemistry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Lake Superior State University, our #1 best value for chemistry in Michigan. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $47,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $85,454 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #3 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for chemistry. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $21,590 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $35,813. That is a strong return on a $21,590 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #6 for value in chemistry this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $22,300. Chemistry graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $46,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Kalamazoo College earned the #9 position for value in chemistry this year. Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,900. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $39,940. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #10 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $28,481 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $52,531 early in their careers. Set against $28,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College earned the #11 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,484. Students borrow a median of $26,636 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $21,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.