2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemistry education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 59 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
For return on investment in chemistry, no school beat Indiana State University this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,081. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $53,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,474 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,474 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $85,454. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,981. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,463. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for chemistry. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,482. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #6 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Michigan Technological University landed the #7 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Stark State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #9 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $28,091 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. Set against $28,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #10 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,500. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $74,138. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,590. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $35,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,023. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,061. Set against $23,023 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for chemistry. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $66,397. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Western Illinois University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $31,980. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #15 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Northern Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Lake Superior State University earned the #17 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,890 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,429 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $47,910. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #18 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $46,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #19 position for value in chemistry this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $66,955. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #20 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $47,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #21 position for value in chemistry this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $24,744 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $48,147 early in their careers. Set against $24,744 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #22 for value in chemistry this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,677. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,836. Chemistry graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for chemistry. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemistry Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in chemistry:
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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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
