by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Wyoming came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $40,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $12,184. General Chemistry graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College earned the #6 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Idaho landed the #7 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $24,508 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $38,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,508 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #8 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $29,318 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $34,417. Set against $29,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah earned the #9 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $41,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Fort Lewis College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,417 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $34,159. That is a strong return on a $15,417 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #11 among the best values for general chemistry. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,626 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $45,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,626 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #12 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $19,062. General Chemistry graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $63,896 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University placed #13 among the best values for general chemistry. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $25,623 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Set against $25,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University landed the #14 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,635. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $47,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #15 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $72,394. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $76,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado College placed #17 among the best values for general chemistry. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $17,921. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver earned the #18 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $56,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.