2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Tennessee
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Tennessee
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
Our analysis ranked Tennessee State University the best value for a degree in chemistry in Tennessee. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $45,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #2 place for chemistry. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $36,881. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,999 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $41,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $22,754. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,575. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #5. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. Set against $20,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University placed #6 among the best values for chemistry. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,475. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
East Tennessee State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,301. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $45,444. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #8 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $41,589. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #9 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Rhodes College earned the #11 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,078. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $40,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
