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 developed our Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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
2026 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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for chemical engineering in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,050. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $87,164. Set against $20,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $16,374. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $45,164. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $14,125. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University earned the #6 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $13,178 to complete the chemical engineering program here. 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. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #7 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,157 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $59,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $15,000. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $75,766. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #9 for value in chemical engineering this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $69,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #10 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #11 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $85,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #12 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $70,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #13 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $70,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,500. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $57,540. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #15 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $20,019 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $87,284. Set against $20,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #16 for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $67,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #17 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $78,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #18 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $18,205 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $76,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #21 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $18,155 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $81,553. Set against $18,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #22 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $14,937. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $79,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,937 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. 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. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $94,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University placed #25 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,342 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $79,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,342 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in chemical engineering:
Narrow Chemical Engineering Schools by Region
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 208 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 152 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.
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/chemical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemical engineering education at a price that pays off.
