2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Kentucky
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value chemistry schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Kentucky
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 Northern Kentucky University this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. 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.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,334. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,499. Chemistry graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,584. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $34,512. Set against $23,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Louisville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,411. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $41,842. That is a strong return on a $24,411 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Kentucky ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Centre College landed the #7 spot for chemistry value this year. Centre College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. In-state tuition and fees average $52,820. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,560. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Centre College generally make around $32,327. That is a strong return on a $26,560 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Bellarmine University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,770. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,766 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $46,024 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
