2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 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 Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. 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. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $81,777 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
A rank of #3 makes Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art one of the best values for chemical engineering. 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. Set against $16,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the chemical engineering program here. 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.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $51,267. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #6 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,570 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $66,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Delaware ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $26,058 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $80,564. That is a strong return on a $26,058 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,437 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Stony Brook University placed #9 among the best values for chemical engineering. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,797. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $72,868. That is a strong return on a $24,797 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #10 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $75,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #11 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,161. Chemical Engineering graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $67,783 early in their careers. Set against $23,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #12 among the best values for chemical engineering. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $26,548. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $73,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #13 among the best values for chemical engineering. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $78,979. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rowan University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,863 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $61,045. Set against $23,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University earned the #15 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,361 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $85,578. That is a strong return on a $14,361 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $81,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Thomas Jefferson University earned the #17 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $32,256 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. That is a strong return on a $32,256 median debt. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Manhattan College came in at #18 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,400. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,503 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Manhattan College generally make around $73,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Rochester earned the #19 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $71,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #20 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #21 spot for chemical engineering value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $26,548. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $73,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Clarkson University placed #22 among the best values for chemical engineering. Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Potsdam. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,398. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Clarkson University generally make around $75,887. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for chemical engineering. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,831 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $82,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lafayette College landed the #24 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $79,602 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Lafayette College admits about 31% of applicants.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #25 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute generally make around $78,263. That is a strong return on a $25,332 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for chemical engineering this year:
Narrow Chemical Engineering Schools by State
More Chemical Engineering Rankings
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
