2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemical engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southeast 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
For return on investment in chemical engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,050. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $87,164. That is a strong return on a $20,050 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $85,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $70,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for chemical engineering. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $70,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Louisiana Tech University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,342. Chemical Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $79,157 early in their careers. Set against $18,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $78,323 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #7 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $75,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #8 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. 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 $98,008 early in their careers. Set against $22,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Mcneese State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,433. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $46,529. That is a strong return on a $24,433 median debt. Mcneese State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University placed #10 among the best values for chemical engineering. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $60,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #11 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $63,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #12 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $69,875. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Mississippi State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,298 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $78,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $57,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Louisville placed #15 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $70,675 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas earned the #16 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $75,102. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama placed #17 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,500. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $71,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #18 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $74,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $76,302. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Kentucky ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $65,389. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #21 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $60,528. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $17,733 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $85,772. Set against $17,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Clemson University came in at #23 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,450. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $75,951. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama placed #24 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,003 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $69,809. That is a strong return on a $23,003 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #25 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $75,680. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemical engineering value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
