2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/chemical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 151 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemical engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value Chemical Engineering School for You
The chemical engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,050 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $87,164. That is a strong return on a $20,050 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #2 place for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $67,450. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $18,205 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $76,680. Set against $18,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for chemical engineering. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $85,847. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #6 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,155 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $81,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,155 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #7 spot for chemical engineering value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $45,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $86,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,019 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $87,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #10 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,812. Chemical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $69,009 early in their careers. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego placed #11 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $59,508. That is a strong return on a $18,157 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #12 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $87,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $70,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Stanford University placed #14 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #15 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $70,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #16 among the best values for chemical engineering. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $58,377. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #17 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $75,766. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #19 for value in chemical engineering this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,342. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,157. That is a strong return on a $18,342 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earned the #20 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,820. Students borrow a median of $16,805 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art generally make around $16,678. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #21 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,850 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $77,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #22 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,624. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $81,105. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #24 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $78,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #25 for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $57,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in chemical engineering:
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Chemical Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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 · 151 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 151 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.
