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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Stark State College, our #1 best value for chemistry in Ohio. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Wright State University Main Campus one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,744 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $48,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,225. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $68,086. Set against $25,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Akron Main Campus one of the best values for chemistry. 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. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,500. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,970. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #6 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $39,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for chemistry value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,751. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $43,349. Set against $25,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The College Of Wooster came in at #8 for value in chemistry this year. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. In-state tuition and fees average $61,640. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Chemistry graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in chemistry this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $43,105. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $47,387. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford placed #11 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $24,177 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $49,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Baldwin Wallace College came in at #12 for value in chemistry this year. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $39,832. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,307. Chemistry graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $46,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,307 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
John Carroll University came in at #13 for value in chemistry this year. John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. Students from in state pay about $50,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $30,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. John Carroll University admits about 81% of applicants.
Xavier University landed the #14 spot for chemistry value this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $49,425. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $55,045. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
Denison University placed #15 among the best values for chemistry. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,000. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,800 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. That is a strong return on a $23,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.