2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in chemical engineering in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. 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 $86,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #2 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. 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. Set against $22,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #3. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,377 early in their careers. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for chemical engineering. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,500. Chemical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $81,105 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,750. Chemical Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $80,193 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Wayne State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $29,900 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $71,373. Set against $29,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #7 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $71,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Chicago ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #9 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $85,945. That is a strong return on a $21,947 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $77,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Cleveland State University came in at #11 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $28,826 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $69,043. Set against $28,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo placed #12 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $79,750. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #13 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $68,632. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Michigan State University placed #14 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,573 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,023. Set against $26,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #15 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,747 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $64,526. Set against $26,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,250. Chemical Engineering graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $67,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering placed #17 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,480. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Chemical Engineering graduates of Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn a median of $55,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Milwaukee School Of Engineering admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $82,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $83,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Trine University placed #20 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,560 in tuition and fees. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Trine University earn a median of $72,875 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northwestern University came in at #21 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $80,709. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford placed #22 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,500. Chemical Engineering graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $77,542 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton landed the #23 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Students borrow a median of $22,999 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $79,865 early in their careers. Set against $22,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Kettering University landed the #24 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,425. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $29,000. Chemical Engineering graduates of Kettering University earn a median of $71,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Kettering University admits about 79% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University earned the #25 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,250. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $83,706. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in chemical engineering:
Narrow Chemical Engineering Schools by State
More Chemical Engineering Rankings
View All Chemical Engineering 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
