by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemical Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/chemical-physics/) 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 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemical physics students.
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Where you study chemical physics affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Chemical Physics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Chemical Physics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemical physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Rice University earned the #1 spot for value among chemical physics schools in the United States. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Chemical Physics graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Students looking for strong value in chemical physics will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $16,100 in student loans. Chemical Physics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,100 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in chemical physics will find it at Bowdoin College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the chemical physics program here. Chemical Physics graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $58,938 early in their careers. Set against $20,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants.
University Of California Davis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $56,763. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for chemical physics. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $21,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $46,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #6 for value in chemical physics this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Chemical Physics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #7 spot for chemical physics value this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $16,552 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $39,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Centre College placed #8 among the best values for chemical physics. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. Students borrow a median of $26,560 to complete the chemical physics program here. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $32,327. Set against $26,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Pacific Lutheran University earned the #9 position for value in chemical physics this year. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the chemical physics program here. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $49,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Michigan State University placed #10 among the best values for chemical physics. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,481 to complete the chemical physics program here. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $52,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #11 for value in chemical physics this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $39,790. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster landed the #12 spot for chemical physics value this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,640. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical physics program here. Chemical Physics graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University landed the #13 spot for chemical physics value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the chemical physics program here. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #14 among the best values for chemical physics. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the chemical physics program here. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $72,394. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Wellesley College landed the #15 spot for chemical physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $48,902. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Mississippi College placed #16 among the best values for chemical physics. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,500. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $25,510 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $47,611. Set against $25,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Carnegie Mellon University placed #17 among the best values for chemical physics. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Southern California landed the #18 spot for chemical physics value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $15,625. Chemical Physics graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University landed the #19 spot for chemical physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $17,074. Chemical Physics graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Chemical Physics. Browse the parent area of study.
This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.