2026 Best Value Polymer Chemistry Schools

[Polymer Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/polymer-chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value polymer chemistry schools.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Polymer Chemistry School for You
The right polymer chemistry school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Polymer Chemistry Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Polymer Chemistry Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2026 Best Value Polymer Chemistry Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the polymer chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Polymer Chemistry Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among polymer chemistry schools in the United States. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the polymer chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, polymer chemistry degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $85,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned it the #2 place for polymer chemistry. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Polymer Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,259 in student loans. Early-career polymer chemistry graduates make about $61,010. Set against $15,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in polymer chemistry will find it at University Of Akron Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the polymer chemistry program here. Early-career polymer chemistry graduates make about $44,970. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #4 place for polymer chemistry. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for polymer chemistry graduates is $27,000. Polymer Chemistry graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $66,985 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Pittsburg State University one of the best values for polymer chemistry. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Polymer Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, polymer chemistry degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Connecticut landed the #6 spot for polymer chemistry value this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical student debt for polymer chemistry graduates is $26,158. Early-career polymer chemistry graduates make about $52,216. Set against $26,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value polymer chemistry schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for polymer chemistry graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, polymer chemistry degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
George Washington University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value polymer chemistry schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the polymer chemistry program here. Polymer Chemistry graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Polymer Chemistry Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Polymer Chemistry. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.