by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 88 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value chemistry schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for chemistry in Texas. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,412 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,895. Set against $12,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for chemistry. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Rice University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. 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. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston Clear Lake one of the best values for chemistry. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #6 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Lamar University placed #7 among the best values for chemistry. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,988. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #8 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $50,717. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #9 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,835. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $40,700. Set against $20,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #10 among the best values for chemistry. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $54,201. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $23,151 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $38,006. Set against $23,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University placed #12 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #13 among the best values for chemistry. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,747 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $48,783. That is a strong return on a $20,747 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #14 among the best values for chemistry. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,759. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #15 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $38,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #17 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $72,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Blinn College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sam Houston State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $28,775. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $43,940. Set against $28,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #20 spot for chemistry value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,243. Chemistry graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $31,573 early in their careers. Set against $27,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas Southern University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $35,330. Chemistry graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $41,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #22 among the best values for chemistry. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $49,462. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
West Texas A And M University earned the #23 position for value in chemistry this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Baylor University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Chemistry graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.