2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in New York
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 80 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among chemistry schools in New York. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $34,239. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $9,000. 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. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,136 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $31,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 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. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. Set against $11,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #6 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $52,645 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #7 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University came in at #8 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $31,685. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany came in at #9 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,856 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $48,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #10 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,258. Chemistry graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,250. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $60,376. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #12 spot for chemistry value this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,500. Chemistry graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $35,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
St Johns University New York ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $57,686. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Iona College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Rochelle. In-state tuition and fees average $47,260. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Iona College generally make around $51,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Rochester ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $60,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #16 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,677. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $63,515. Set against $24,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
St Lawrence University earned the #17 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,900. Students borrow a median of $26,192 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from St Lawrence University generally make around $39,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cornell University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $15,121. Chemistry graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $28,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earned the #19 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $77,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Skidmore College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,140. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $34,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
New York University placed #21 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from New York University generally make around $37,249. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University came in at #22 for value in chemistry this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,459 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $21,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
