2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for chemical engineering in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,050 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $87,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #2 place for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $45,164. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

5

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $10,492. Chemical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

6

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,157. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $59,508. That is a strong return on a $18,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

7

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #7 for value in chemical engineering this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,178 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

8

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for chemical engineering. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $75,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

9

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #9 spot for chemical engineering value 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. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete the chemical engineering program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 75%.

10

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $85,847. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

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. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

12

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $70,797. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

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. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $70,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

14

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #14 position for value in chemical engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

15

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #15 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $78,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

16

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University landed the #16 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,019. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $87,284. That is a strong return on a $20,019 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

17

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #17 for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $57,540. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

18

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $81,105 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

19

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #19 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $18,205 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $76,680. That is a strong return on a $18,205 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

20

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $67,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #21 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $18,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

22

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #22 for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

23

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #23 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,875. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #24 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $79,737 early in their careers. Set against $14,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

25

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #25 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $84,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.