[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 156 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemical engineering students.
Finding the Best Value Chemical Engineering School for You
The right chemical engineering school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in chemical engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,050 in student loans. 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 came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. 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.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for chemical engineering. 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. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $76,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. 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.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #6 spot for chemical engineering value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,155 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $81,553 early in their careers. Set against $18,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #7 spot for chemical engineering value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $86,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
California State University Long Beach placed #8 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, 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. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #9 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,019 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $87,284. That is a strong return on a $20,019 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego placed #10 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. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #11 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. 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.
Rice University placed #12 among the best values for chemical engineering. 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. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $87,830. That is a strong return on a $13,178 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #13 for value in chemical engineering 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,500. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $70,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Stanford University landed the #14 spot for chemical engineering value this year. 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. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #15 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #16 position for value in chemical engineering this year. 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. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $70,797. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #17 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the chemical engineering program here. 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. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $15,000. Chemical Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $75,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University placed #19 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art came in at #20 for value in chemical engineering this year. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,820. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $16,805. Chemical Engineering graduates of Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earn a median of $16,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art admits about 21% of applicants.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,850 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $77,440. That is a strong return on a $22,850 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #22 among the best values for chemical engineering. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $19,875. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for chemical engineering. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Chicago landed the #24 spot for chemical engineering value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #25 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, 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. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemical engineering value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 156 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 156 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).
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
