2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 63 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemical engineering students.
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2027 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
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among chemical engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for chemical engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% 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. 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 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $85,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in chemical engineering this year. 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. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,250. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $86,209. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $81,553. That is a strong return on a $18,155 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $16,374. Chemical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $45,164 early in their careers. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #9 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the chemical engineering program here. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. 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. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #11 position for value in chemical engineering this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete the chemical engineering program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 39%.
San Jose State University came in at #12 for value in chemical engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. 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. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #13 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. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #14 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $22,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #15 spot for chemical engineering value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
University Of Chicago ranked #16 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #17 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $105,244 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,500. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $78,813. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Michigan Technological University landed the #19 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $80,193 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California Institute Of Technology earned the #20 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. California Institute Of Technology admits about 3% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #21 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,244 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $114,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,244 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,495 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $73,245. That is a strong return on a $25,495 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $77,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #24 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $78,369 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Cleveland State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $28,826. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $69,043. Set against $28,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% 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:
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. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
