2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Colorado

[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Colorado
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
For return on investment in chemistry, no school beat Mesa State College this year. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #2 makes Metropolitan State College Of Denver one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $29,318 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $34,417. That is a strong return on a $29,318 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at Fort Lewis College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,417 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $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 came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,626. Chemistry graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $45,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,626 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,062. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $63,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #6 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $72,394. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #7 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,521. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $76,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.
Colorado College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver came in at #9 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.