2027 Best Value Chemistry Master’s Degree Schools
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemistry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 81 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
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2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for chemistry in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for chemistry. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $18,675 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $45,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,675 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $22,913. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $14,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $64,111. That is a strong return on a $14,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $14,250. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $51,671. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Florida International University came in at #7 for value in chemistry this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $28,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $69,821. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Rice University came in at #9 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #10 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $43,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Chicago ranked #11 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 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. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $60,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #13 spot for chemistry value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $46,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Irvine landed the #14 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $13,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $63,601. That is a strong return on a $13,276 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Michigan Technological University placed #15 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of California San Diego earned the #16 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,100 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $69,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $66,397 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $36,881. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University earned the #19 position for value in chemistry this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,590 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $35,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #20 among the best values for chemistry. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,821. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $39,725. That is a strong return on a $24,821 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #21 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $31,980. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University came in at #22 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,499 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #23 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #24 for value in chemistry this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,000. Chemistry graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $46,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,158 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $47,451. Set against $21,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemistry Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemistry value ranking:
Other Chemistry Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Chemistry rankings across degree levels:
View All Chemistry Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 81 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.
