2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Virginia
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
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2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
Our analysis ranked Radford University the best value for a degree in chemistry in Virginia. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #2 place for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $50,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes College Of William And Mary one of the best values for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $35,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $19,425 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $30,599. That is a strong return on a $19,425 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mary Washington earned it the #5 place for chemistry. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Students borrow a median of $21,739 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
James Madison University came in at #6 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $45,799. Set against $25,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Christopher Newport University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $39,245 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Washington And Lee University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,074 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $76,810. That is a strong return on a $20,074 median debt. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,872. Chemistry graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $38,571 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #10 for value in chemistry this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,497 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $45,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Richmond placed #11 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,230 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $22,881 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Richmond admits about 22% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
