2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Chemical Engineering](/majors/engineering/chemical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value chemical engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States 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
Missouri University Of Science And Technology tops our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #2 place for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $25,495. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $73,245. Set against $25,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,816 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,603. Set against $27,816 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $63,870. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Iowa State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,188. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $76,184. That is a strong return on a $20,188 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,950 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $73,112. Set against $26,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $26,915 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,152. That is a strong return on a $26,915 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Kansas State University earned the #8 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $77,492. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #9 for value in chemical engineering this year. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,500, compared with $14,900 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $72,785. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #10 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $27,825 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $69,950. Set against $27,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $19,500. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $69,801. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #12 among the best values for chemical engineering. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $75,340. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
