by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bowdoin College tops our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools in the New England Region. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,832. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $58,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Colby College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. That is a strong return on a $22,016 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bridgewater State University earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $55,376 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Massachusetts Lowell one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $66,985. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $96,201. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College placed #7 among the best values for chemistry. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $40,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Vermont earned the #8 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Keene State College came in at #9 for value in chemistry this year. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $41,049. That is a strong return on a $26,185 median debt. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #10 spot for chemistry value this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Amherst College earned the #11 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $15,398. Chemistry graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $59,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $53,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #13 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Yale University placed #14 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $65,336. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Brown University earned the #15 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $40,767. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut placed #17 among the best values for chemistry. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,158 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $52,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College landed the #18 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $48,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Boston University placed #19 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Boston University earn a median of $39,157 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College placed #20 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $22,041. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Western New England University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,820. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,520. Chemistry graduates of Western New England University earn a median of $64,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,520 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Smith College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $18,941. Chemistry graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,989. Chemistry graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Saint Joseph College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,278 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,798. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Saint Joseph College generally make around $75,782. That is a strong return on a $27,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Wesleyan University earned the #25 position for value in chemistry this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemistry value ranking:
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.