by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/chemistry-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Chadron State College the best value for a degree in chemistry education in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $24,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $47,254. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Valley City State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Students borrow a median of $24,394 to complete the chemistry education program here. Chemistry Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #3 makes Peru State College one of the best values for chemistry education. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,433. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $26,254. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for chemistry education. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $22,145 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minot State University earned it the #5 place for chemistry education. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $28,324. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $50,645. Set against $28,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
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Mayville State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $27,464. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $49,971. That is a strong return on a $27,464 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University placed #7 among the best values for chemistry education. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $30,795 to complete the chemistry education program here. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $43,279. Set against $30,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College placed #8 among the best values for chemistry education. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,957 to complete the chemistry education program here. Chemistry Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Set against $25,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #9 spot for chemistry education value this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,221 to complete the chemistry education program here. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $38,832. Set against $26,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #10 among the best values for chemistry education. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Dickinson State University earned the #11 position for value in chemistry education this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $27,266. Chemistry Education graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $51,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Emporia State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in chemistry education this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $25,485. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $46,970. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #14 spot for chemistry education value this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $25,741 to complete the chemistry education program here. Chemistry Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #15 for value in chemistry education this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $45,786. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Northern State University landed the #16 spot for chemistry education value this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete the chemistry education program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $45,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Winona State University placed #17 among the best values for chemistry education. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry education graduates is $26,762. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $53,109. Set against $26,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
South Dakota State University placed #18 among the best values for chemistry education. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the chemistry education program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $45,625. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry education schools. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $50,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University earned the #20 position for value in chemistry education this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $29,008 in student loans. Chemistry Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #21 position for value in chemistry education this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $26,082 to complete the chemistry education program here. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $53,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary landed the #22 spot for chemistry education value this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $27,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Pittsburg State University landed the #23 spot for chemistry education value this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the chemistry education program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Luther College landed the #24 spot for chemistry education value this year. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,224 to complete the chemistry education program here. Early-career chemistry education graduates make about $31,016. Set against $20,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Evangel University earned the #25 position for value in chemistry education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Chemistry Education graduates carry a median of $30,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry education degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Set against $30,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemistry education value ranking:
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
