2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among chemical engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,050 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $87,164. Set against $20,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

3

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #3 place for chemical engineering. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $10,492. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $45,164. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

5

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $14,125. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $67,450. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

6

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #6 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $13,178. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $87,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #7 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,157 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $59,508. That is a strong return on a $18,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

8

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $75,766. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #9 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,812. Chemical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $69,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

10

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #10 for value in chemical engineering this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $85,847. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

11

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #11 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

12

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #12 for value in chemical engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $70,797. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

13

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #13 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $70,659. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

14

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,500. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $57,540 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

15

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University earned the #15 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. 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 chemical engineering graduates is $20,019. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $87,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

16

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #16 for value in chemical engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #17 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $19,875. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,624. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

18

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #18 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $78,813 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

19

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,500. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $81,105. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

20

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #20 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,205 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $76,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,155. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $81,553. That is a strong return on a $18,155 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

22

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #22 among the best values for chemical engineering. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $14,937 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,737. Set against $14,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.

23

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #23 spot for chemical engineering value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $58,377. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

24

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #24 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $94,856. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

25

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #25 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $86,209. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.