2027 Best Value Chemistry Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Chemistry Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/chemistry-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemistry Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemistry Education Schools
For return on investment in chemistry education, no school beat Valley City State University this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $24,394. Chemistry Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,394 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mayville State University earned it the #2 place for chemistry education. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $27,464. Chemistry Education graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $49,971 early in their careers. Set against $27,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry education will find it at Chadron State College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $24,943 in student loans. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $47,254. Set against $24,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #4 place for chemistry education. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,145 to complete the chemistry education program here. Chemistry Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,145 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes Peru State College one of the best values for chemistry education. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the chemistry education program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ozarks ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Minot State University came in at #7 for value in chemistry education this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $28,324. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $44,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Dickinson State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the chemistry education program here. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $51,049. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $43,279. Set against $30,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $25,741 to complete the chemistry education program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. Set against $25,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in chemistry education this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the chemistry education program here. Chemistry Education graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Wayne State College came in at #12 for value in chemistry education this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,957 to complete the chemistry education program here. Chemistry Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #13 for value in chemistry education this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $29,000. Chemistry Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $48,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Pittsburg State University earned the #14 position for value in chemistry education this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Northern State University earned the #15 position for value in chemistry education this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Emporia State University came in at #16 for value in chemistry education this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the chemistry education program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $52,694. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Black Hills State University came in at #17 for value in chemistry education this year. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete the chemistry education program here. Chemistry Education graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #18 spot for chemistry education value this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $26,221 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $38,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $26,762 to complete the chemistry education program here. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $53,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary placed #20 among the best values for chemistry education. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $27,399 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Luther College placed #21 among the best values for chemistry education. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,120 in tuition and fees. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $20,224 in student loans. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $31,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $44,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Buena Vista University came in at #23 for value in chemistry education this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Students borrow a median of $29,008 to complete the chemistry education program here. Chemistry Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,008 median debt. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #24 for value in chemistry education this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $26,082. Chemistry Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,082 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Evangel University came in at #25 for value in chemistry education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $30,175 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,175 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Chemistry Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for chemistry education this year:
Narrow Chemistry Education Schools by State
More Chemistry Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
