2026 Best Value Chemistry Master’s Degree Schools
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1380 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $14,824 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $54,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $15,680. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $50,553. Set against $15,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Princeton University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $18,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $69,821. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, 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 acceptance rate is 94%.
Rice University earned the #7 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #8 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $28,660. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for chemistry value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $13,276 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $63,601. Set against $13,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Jose State University landed the #10 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #11 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $44,140. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California San Diego earned the #12 position for value in chemistry this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,100 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $69,229. That is a strong return on a $16,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $43,294. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #14 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $15,389. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $46,369. That is a strong return on a $15,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $14,137 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $64,111. Set against $14,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Lamar University landed the #16 spot for chemistry value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, 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.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $66,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Mcneese State University landed the #18 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,489, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,433. Chemistry graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $46,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Arizona State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,885. Chemistry graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $38,766 early in their careers. Set against $21,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #20 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $46,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
West Virginia University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $24,356 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $36,891. That is a strong return on a $24,356 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside placed #22 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $39,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #23 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $74,138. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #24 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #25 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $60,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemistry Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in chemistry:
Other Chemistry Degree Levels
Explore the best-value chemistry schools at other degree levels:
View All Chemistry Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1380 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
