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2023 Best Value Colleges for Chemistry (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

42 Ranked Colleges
3,288 Degrees Awarded
$8,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 21,239 people earned their degree in chemistry, making the major the 51st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, chemistry graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,656 and had an average of $22,680 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,288 chemistry graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,907 and $23,656 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 42 colleges that offer a degree in chemistry. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great chemistry programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the chemistry program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The chemistry school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Chemistry (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 62 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $245 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern University.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Northwestern Chemistry Report

2
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 146 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,500 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Chicago.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UChicago Chemistry Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 119 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $2,670 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Chemistry at U-M

4

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 155 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Chemistry at University of Wisconsin - Madison

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 194 diplomas to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UIUC Chemistry Report

6
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 153 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $5,995 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Chemistry at Purdue University - Main Campus

7

With a ranking of #7, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 81 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Chemistry at Indiana University - Bloomington

8
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 86 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Michigan State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Chemistry at Michigan State University

9

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 106 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,068 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Chemistry at Ohio State

10

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k list, IUPUI has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,026 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Chemistry at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

11
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Notre Dame is $9,872 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Chemistry at Notre Dame

12
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Beloit, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

Beloit also took the #17 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,970 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Beloit College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Beloit College Chemistry Report

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

UW - La Crosse did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $7,517 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Chemistry at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

14

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 41 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,047 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Chemistry at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

15

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 54 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.

UIC also took the #15 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $10,549 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Chemistry at UIC

16
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ball State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Chemistry at Ball State

17

Illinois Institute of Technology landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Tech, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Institute of Technology is $18,515 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Chemistry at Illinois Institute of Technology

18

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 26 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also took the #13 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $9,547 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UW - Eau Claire Chemistry Report

19

With a ranking of #19, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Miami University - Oxford, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $13,956 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Miami University - Oxford Chemistry Report

20
K College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, Michigan

With a ranking of #20, Kalamazoo College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. K College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 46 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K College, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for K College is $17,814 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full K College Chemistry Report

21

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

UC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,061 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Chemistry at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

22

Kent State University at Kent ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kent State University at Kent is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 57 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.

Kent State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kent State University at Kent is $13,793 for Great Lakes Region Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Chemistry at Kent State University at Kent

23
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne State is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 67 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $11,060 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Wayne State Chemistry Report

24
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. WMU is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 21 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WMU is $13,112 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full WMU Chemistry Report

25

University of Wisconsin - Platteville came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Platteville is located in Platteville, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Platteville is $8,887 for great lakes region chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Chemistry at University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Notes and References

References

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