2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Southwest Region
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemistry education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Texas A And M International University earned the #1 spot for value among chemistry schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $15,095. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,029. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $22,913 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,412 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar University earned it the #4 place for chemistry. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,988. Chemistry graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Blinn College placed #6 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,465. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #7 among the best values for chemistry. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $20,835 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $40,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #8 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $38,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #9 for value in chemistry this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #10 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $50,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $40,845. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #12 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,632. Chemistry graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #14 spot for chemistry value this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $29,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. Set against $29,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Arizona State University placed #15 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,885 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $38,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #16 position for value in chemistry this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $31,419. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas landed the #17 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $23,151 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $38,006. Set against $23,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Arizona came in at #18 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,245. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,013. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #20 among the best values for chemistry. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,747 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $48,783. That is a strong return on a $20,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $26,343 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $30,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University landed the #22 spot for chemistry value this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $28,775 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $43,940 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #23 position for value in chemistry this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $42,897 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #24 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $72,145. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Tech University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,243. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $31,573. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Chemistry Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for chemistry this year:
Narrow Chemistry Schools by State
View All Chemistry Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
