by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Utah University one of the best values for chemistry. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,283. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $40,280. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,191. Chemistry graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Provo earned it the #5 place for chemistry. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College placed #6 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Idaho earned the #7 position for value in chemistry this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,508. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $38,664. That is a strong return on a $24,508 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #8 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $29,318. Chemistry graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $34,417 early in their careers. Set against $29,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $18,375. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $41,275. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Fort Lewis College placed #10 among the best values for chemistry. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $34,159. That is a strong return on a $15,417 median debt. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,626 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $45,406 early in their careers. Set against $26,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #12 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,062 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $63,896 early in their careers. Set against $19,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Boise State University came in at #13 for value in chemistry this year. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $25,623 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $49,059. That is a strong return on a $25,623 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Montana State University came in at #14 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,635. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $47,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #15 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,373. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $72,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines placed #16 among the best values for chemistry. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $76,298. That is a strong return on a $24,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Colorado College came in at #17 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,734. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
University Of Denver placed #18 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $56,999. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.