2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general chemistry students.
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2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among general chemistry schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $34,239. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,340 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,136 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $31,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,136 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,238 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $46,140. That is a strong return on a $21,238 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #6 spot for general chemistry value this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $23,600 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $55,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,000. General Chemistry graduates of Towson University earn a median of $52,765 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #9 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $44,215. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Delaware earned the #10 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,893 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $78,611. Set against $24,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Morgan State University placed #11 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $30,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $49,736. Set against $30,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #12 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $12,366 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $78,087 early in their careers. Set against $12,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Suny At Albany earned the #13 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $25,856 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $48,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #14 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,644 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot for general chemistry value this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,128 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,137. Set against $27,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Salisbury University landed the #16 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $50,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $44,949 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #18 for value in general chemistry this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $31,685. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #19 for value in general chemistry this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $45,448. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #20 spot for general chemistry value 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. 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.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #21 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,250. General Chemistry graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo landed the #22 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $60,376. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #23 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,490. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $36,597 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suny At Binghamton placed #25 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $35,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Chemistry Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general chemistry value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.