2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in California

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

For return on investment in chemical engineering, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

2

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 75%.

3

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,157 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $59,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

4

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #4 place for chemical engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

5

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #6 among the best values for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,413 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $68,245. That is a strong return on a $17,413 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. 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. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

8

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #8 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. 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. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,737. Set against $14,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 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. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,205. 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. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

10

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $18,155. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $81,553. That is a strong return on a $18,155 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

11

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #11 for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $16,000. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $68,337 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

12

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology earned the #12 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,898. Chemical Engineering graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #13 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $68,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.