by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 407 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
The chemistry program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value 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.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among chemistry schools in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $10,888. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $44,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
College Of San Mateo came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the chemistry program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $34,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #6 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,553. Chemistry graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $40,402 early in their careers. Set against $16,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #7 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $18,675 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $45,076 early in their careers. Set against $18,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #8 among the best values for chemistry. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #9 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $8,098. Chemistry graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #10 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,340. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #11 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $15,095. Chemistry graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of Florida earned the #13 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $14,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $54,389. Set against $14,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Irvine Valley College came in at #14 for value in chemistry this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the chemistry program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #15 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $12,136. Chemistry graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $31,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Oxnard College landed the #16 spot for chemistry value this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Cypress College placed #17 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Utah Valley University landed the #18 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #19 spot for chemistry value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $5,707. Chemistry graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University East Bay placed #20 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $18,073. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Golden West College landed the #21 spot for chemistry value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,500. Chemistry graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $11,196. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $39,771 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #24 position for value in chemistry this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $10,500. Chemistry graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $22,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Cerritos College earned the #25 position for value in chemistry this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in chemistry:
These institutions also earned high marks for chemistry value:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Rice University | Houston, TX | Full Report |
| #52 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | Full Report |
| #53 | Southern Utah University | Cedar City, UT | Full Report |
| #54 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA | Full Report |
| #55 | California State University Fresno | Fresno, CA | Full Report |
| #56 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA | Full Report |
| #57 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA | Full Report |
| #58 | University Of California Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Full Report |
| #59 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | Full Report |
| #60 | Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN | Full Report |
| #61 | Portland State University | Portland, OR | Full Report |
| #62 | University Of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Full Report |
A few more high-value chemistry schools worth a look:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Chemistry. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry, General | 14,693 |
| Chemistry, Other | 469 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 296 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 72 |
| Chemical Physics | 40 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 29 |
| Environmental Chemistry | 9 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 9 |
| Physical Chemistry | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
View All Chemistry Concentrations >
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 407 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 407 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.