2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in North Carolina
[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 13 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
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2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among chemistry schools in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $51,671. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #2 place for chemistry. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville State University earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $41,449. That is a strong return on a $27,869 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Pembroke one of the best values for chemistry. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,766 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $35,579. That is a strong return on a $25,766 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,824. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $26,513. That is a strong return on a $20,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,154 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $76,874. That is a strong return on a $20,154 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Davidson College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,430. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University landed the #8 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $47,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #9 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $35,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Appalachian State University came in at #10 for value in chemistry this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,949 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $40,488. That is a strong return on a $24,949 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #11 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,935 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $54,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Wake Forest University placed #12 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $22,250. Chemistry graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University earned the #13 position for value in chemistry this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $8,457 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $29,748. That is a strong return on a $8,457 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
