2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Pennsylvania
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general chemistry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 85 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
Saint Francis University tops our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $30,729 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $63,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $29,438 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $42,972. That is a strong return on a $29,438 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Haverford College earned it the #5 place for general chemistry. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,966 ten years after entry. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Juniata College came in at #7 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the town of Huntingdon, Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,580. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $30,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Juniata College admits about 79% of applicants.
Temple University placed #8 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $42,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #9 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,000. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $57,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Scranton landed the #10 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $56,861 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in general chemistry this year. 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. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,155. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #12 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Drexel University landed the #14 spot for general chemistry value this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,667 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $49,215 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Franklin And Marshall College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,794. Students borrow a median of $20,411 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,411 median debt. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Bucknell University placed #16 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Bucknell University generally make around $64,331. That is a strong return on a $25,951 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Bryn Mawr College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,920. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Bryn Mawr College generally make around $35,668. That is a strong return on a $23,069 median debt. Bryn Mawr College admits about 29% of applicants.
Villanova University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $77,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
