2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general chemistry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
For return on investment in general chemistry, no school beat University Of Nebraska At Omaha this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $21,783. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,821. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,725 early in their careers. Set against $24,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $44,261. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $22,974. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $46,646. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $54,076. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #6 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #7 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $21,158. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $47,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #8 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $22,173. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $46,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,173 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University earned the #9 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Grinnell College landed the #10 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $17,154. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $38,888. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #11 among the best values for general chemistry. 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. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $25,187. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #12 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,884 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $39,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #13 spot for general chemistry value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $49,755. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #14 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #15 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $41,166 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #16 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $22,500. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,674. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Kansas State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $14,138 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $51,543. Set against $14,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #18 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $57,326. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Lindenwood University placed #19 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $28,663. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $48,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
South Dakota State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,989. General Chemistry graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $59,387 early in their careers. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $17,360. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $45,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology landed the #23 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn a median of $75,838 early in their careers. Set against $26,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Iowa ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $25,956. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $44,847. That is a strong return on a $25,956 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Luther College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $26,967. General Chemistry graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 34 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
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
