2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Pennsylvania
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among chemistry schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,128 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,128 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $28,263. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $45,448. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $36,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,867 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Haverford College placed #7 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,155. Chemistry graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Temple University earned the #9 position for value in chemistry this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $42,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Muhlenberg College came in at #10 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $35,641. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Muhlenberg College admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Chemistry graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $57,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Bryn Mawr College placed #12 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,920 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. Set against $23,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University placed #13 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in chemistry this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Chemistry graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $52,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Franklin And Marshall College earned the #15 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,794. Students borrow a median of $20,411 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. Set against $20,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Franklin And Marshall College admits about 28% of applicants.
Dickinson College earned the #16 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,014. Chemistry graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Set against $19,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dickinson College admits about 42% of applicants.
Duquesne University came in at #17 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,297. Chemistry graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $54,826 early in their careers. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University landed the #18 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Students borrow a median of $29,667 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $49,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Villanova University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,184. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $77,371. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
View All Chemistry Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
