2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Pennsylvania
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemistry education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 86 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Francis University the best value for a degree in chemistry in Pennsylvania. Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Loretto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $30,729 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $63,097 early in their careers. Set against $30,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,400 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $35,098 early in their careers. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology admits about 87% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,438 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,972. Set against $29,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Haverford College came in at #6 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Juniata College came in at #8 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the town of Huntingdon, Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,580 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Juniata College earn a median of $30,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,000. Chemistry graduates of Temple University earn a median of $42,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #10 for value in chemistry this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $57,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Scranton placed #11 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,777. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $56,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #13 spot for chemistry value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,529. Chemistry graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #15 position for value in chemistry this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $29,667. Chemistry graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $49,215 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,667 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Franklin And Marshall College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $70,794 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,411. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Franklin And Marshall College generally make around $43,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Bucknell University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $64,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,951 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Bryn Mawr College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Students from in state pay about $65,920 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. Set against $23,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Villanova University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $77,371. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 86 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.
