by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for chemistry in New York. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $34,239. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for chemistry. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $9,000. Chemistry graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,340 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for chemistry. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,136 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $31,815. Set against $12,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,492 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,323. Set against $11,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny At Albany came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,856 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $48,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Stony Brook University placed #6 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $31,685 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #8 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $60,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $35,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Colgate University earned the #10 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,286. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $52,924. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University came in at #11 for value in chemistry this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,121 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $28,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,121 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Rochester came in at #12 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $60,865. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Iona College placed #13 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,260 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $51,530. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
St Johns University New York earned the #14 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $22,000. Chemistry graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $57,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Skidmore College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $18,274. Chemistry graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $34,440 early in their careers. Set against $18,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #16 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,677 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $63,515. Set against $24,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute generally make around $77,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
New York University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,250. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $37,249. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Syracuse University landed the #19 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,459 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University earned the #20 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.