2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemical engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value chemical engineering schools.
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2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools in the Far Western Region. 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, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. 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.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $10,492. Chemical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #3. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,157 to complete the chemical engineering program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $57,540 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #6 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. 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.
San Jose State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside placed #8 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $17,413. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $68,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,937 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $79,737. Set against $14,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #10 position for value in chemical engineering this year. 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, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,205. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $76,680. That is a strong return on a $18,205 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #11 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Washington State University landed the #12 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $69,820. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of California Davis came in at #13 for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $68,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #14 spot for chemical engineering value this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $64,039. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of Technology landed the #15 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,898. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University placed #16 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $71,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California earned the #17 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $68,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
