2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #1 spot for value among chemistry schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,783. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $48,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,821. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $39,725. That is a strong return on a $24,821 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #3 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for chemistry. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #4 makes Wayne State College one of the best values for chemistry. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $46,646. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values for chemistry. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Wichita State University landed the #6 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,740. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,158. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $47,451. Set against $21,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #8 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $46,744. That is a strong return on a $22,173 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Pittsburg State University placed #9 among the best values for chemistry. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $22,669. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Grinnell College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #11 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $74,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #12 for value in chemistry this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,884 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $39,478 early in their careers. Set against $24,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #13 for value in chemistry this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Kansas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value chemistry schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #15 spot for chemistry value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,750. Chemistry graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $41,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #16 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Kansas State University placed #17 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $14,138 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Set against $14,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Iowa State University earned the #18 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,250. Chemistry graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $57,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University came in at #19 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $48,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University placed #20 among the best values for chemistry. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $59,387. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #21 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,360 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #22 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $45,279. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology landed the #23 spot for chemistry value this year. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology generally make around $75,838. That is a strong return on a $26,668 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Iowa came in at #24 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,956 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Luther College placed #25 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,967 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,967 median debt. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Chemistry Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in chemistry:
Narrow Chemistry Schools by State
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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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
