2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 94 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
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2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for chemistry in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,824 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $54,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $48,334. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,677. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,706 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $43,634 early in their careers. Set against $19,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the best values for chemistry. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University earned the #6 position for value in chemistry this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,953 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $32,143. That is a strong return on a $11,953 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,013 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $29,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,323. Chemistry graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #9 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $51,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University landed the #10 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $28,660. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $63,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Fayetteville State University landed the #12 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $41,449. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #13 for value in chemistry this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $35,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of North Georgia came in at #14 for value in chemistry this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $18,318 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,714. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of North Florida ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,162. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $31,663. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Shepherd University came in at #16 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,326 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $40,748. Set against $23,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #17 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University earned the #18 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,500. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $24,830 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $49,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #20 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $34,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #21 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $25,766 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $35,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Memphis ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $36,881. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #23 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,572. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University placed #24 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #25 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $42,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemistry Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for chemistry this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 94 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.
