2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 154 schools to find the best return on investment for chemical engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for chemical engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,050. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $87,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,050 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Princeton University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. 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. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $10,888. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 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. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,205. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $76,680 early in their careers. Set against $18,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for chemical engineering. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,450. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Chemical Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $85,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,551. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #7 for value in chemical engineering 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. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $81,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #8 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $45,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,019. Chemical Engineering graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $87,284 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $69,009. That is a strong return on a $21,812 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #11 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,157 in student loans. 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%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #12 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Rice University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $13,178. Chemical Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $87,830 early in their careers. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #14 for value in chemical engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $70,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,875. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $58,377. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for chemical engineering. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $15,000. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $75,766. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #18 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $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 #19 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,820 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $16,805. 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 placed #20 among the best values for chemical engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $22,850. 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University earned the #21 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $81,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $19,875. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $67,624 early in their careers. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $84,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of California Davis landed the #25 spot for chemical engineering value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $68,337. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemical engineering value ranking:
Other Chemical Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Chemical Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Chemical Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 154 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 154 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.
