2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Illinois
[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 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.
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2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Illinois
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in chemistry in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,474 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $74,138. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $31,980 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for chemistry. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,023 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $43,061 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #6 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. 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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the best values for chemistry. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,774. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University earned the #8 position for value in chemistry this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Bradley University earned the #9 position for value in chemistry this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $90,302. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #11 position for value in chemistry this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
