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2023 Best Value Colleges for Chemical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

25 Ranked Colleges
2,206 Degrees Awarded
$13,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 12,690 people earned their degree in chemical engineering, making the major the 64th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,206 chemical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 25 colleges that offer a degree in chemical engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great chemical engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the chemical engineering program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Chemical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s chem eng degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern also took the #3 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $917 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern University.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at Northwestern

2

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 177 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $5,670 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Chemical Engineering at U-M

3
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 237 ’s chem eng degrees to qualified students.

Purdue also took the #4 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $5,853 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Chemical Engineering at Purdue University - Main Campus

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 121 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at University of Wisconsin - Madison

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chem eng degrees to 181 students in 2020-2021.

UIUC also made our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $8,036 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Chemical Engineering at UIUC

6

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 200 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ohio State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at Ohio State University - Main Campus

7

Michigan Technological University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan Technological University is a public institution located in Houghton, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 119 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k list, Michigan Tech has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,983 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan Technological University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Chemical Engineering at Michigan Tech

8
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 88 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Notre Dame is $9,136 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at Notre Dame

9

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 85 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,351 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at University of Illinois at Chicago

10
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 112 diplomas to qualified ’s chem eng students in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $15,170 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Chemical Engineering at Michigan State University

11

With a ranking of #11, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chem eng degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.

Youngstown State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $9,972 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Youngstown State University Chemical Engineering Report

12
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 36 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

Wayne State also took the #22 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,414 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wayne State University.

Read full report on Chemical Engineering at Wayne State University

13

Case Western Reserve University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Case Western Reserve University is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s chem eng degrees to qualified students.

Case Western also made our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Case Western is $15,570 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Chemical Engineering at Case Western

14

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 121 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

UC also made our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $15,966 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at UC

15
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Western Michigan University is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $15,552 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Chemical Engineering at WMU

16

Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s chem eng degrees to 73 students in 2020-2021.

Illinois Tech also made our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Tech is $21,101 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at Illinois Tech

17

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chem eng degrees to 104 students in 2020-2021.

University of Akron Main Campus also made our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $15,510 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.

Read full report on Chemical Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

18

University of Toledo ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Toledo is a fairly large public school situated in Toledo, Ohio. It awarded 69 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Toledo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Toledo is $14,550 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at University of Toledo

19

With a ranking of #19, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Oxford, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 32 degrees to qualified ’s chem eng students in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also took the #16 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $16,062 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Miami University - Oxford Chemical Engineering Report

20

Cleveland State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cleveland State University is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 74 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cleveland State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,813 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cleveland State University.

Full Cleveland State University Chemical Engineering Report

21

Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chem eng degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,991 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend OHIO Athens.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at Ohio University - Athens Campus

22

University of Dayton ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 46 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

UDayton also made our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend University of Dayton is $20,992 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at University of Dayton

23
Trine crest
Trine University
Angola, Indiana

With a ranking of #23, Trine University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Trine is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Angola, Indiana. It awarded 21 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k list, Trine has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Trine is $18,474 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at Trine University

24

Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Terre Haute, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 35 degrees to qualified ’s chem eng students in 2020-2021.

Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology also made our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology is $27,109 for great lakes region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology Chemical Engineering Report

25
Kettering crest
Kettering University
Flint, Michigan

Kettering University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 23 ’s chem eng degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kettering, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $30,263 for Great Lakes Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kettering.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at Kettering

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