2027 Best Value Chemistry Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Chemistry Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/chemistry-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemistry education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemistry Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemistry education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Chemistry Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for chemistry education in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry education will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Northwest earned it the #3 place for chemistry education. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
A rank of #4 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for chemistry education. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $29,076. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $54,608. Set against $29,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #6 for value in chemistry education this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $24,998. Chemistry Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $49,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Albion College landed the #7 spot for chemistry education value this year. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $26,047. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $40,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Western Michigan University came in at #8 for value in chemistry education this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Central Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Illinois State University earned the #11 position for value in chemistry education this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $24,149 to complete the chemistry education program here. Chemistry Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $50,102 early in their careers. Set against $24,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Christian College earned the #12 position for value in chemistry education this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $27,000. Chemistry Education graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $48,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.
Bethel College Mishawaka earned the #13 position for value in chemistry education this year. Located in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Students borrow a median of $31,824 to complete the chemistry education program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $44,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Spring Arbor University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $28,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $53,080. That is a strong return on a $28,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #15 for value in chemistry education this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Viterbo University landed the #16 spot for chemistry education value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $29,107 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $60,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bradley University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $27,000. Chemistry Education graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Ashland University earned the #18 position for value in chemistry education this year. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemistry education program here. Chemistry Education graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $48,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Augustana College Illinois placed #19 among the best values for chemistry education. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $27,000. Chemistry Education graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #20 for value in chemistry education this year. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,352. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $52,449. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana Wesleyan University admits about 89% of applicants.
Calvin College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $26,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $42,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $21,000. Chemistry Education graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
Trine University earned the #23 position for value in chemistry education this year. Located in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,560. Students borrow a median of $25,765 to complete the chemistry education program here. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $54,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University earned the #24 position for value in chemistry education this year. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,490. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $45,090. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Norbert College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,580. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $24,889. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $48,421. Set against $24,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Norbert College admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Chemistry Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemistry education value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.