2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among chemical engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $81,105. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for chemical engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $86,209. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. 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. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for strong value in chemical engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $22,850. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $77,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for chemical engineering. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,947 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $85,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

6

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #6 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $29,900. Chemical Engineering graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $71,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

7

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,168. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $71,873. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

8

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University came in at #8 for value in chemical engineering this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,750. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $80,193. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.

9

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for chemical engineering. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $77,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

10

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo earned the #10 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $79,750. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #11 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

12

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $28,826. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $69,043. That is a strong return on a $28,826 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

13

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University landed the #13 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $29,000. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $68,632. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

14

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $26,573. Chemical Engineering graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $79,023 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

15

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #15 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,747 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $64,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for chemical engineering. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,333 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $82,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

17

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $67,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

18

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #18 for value in chemical engineering this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $80,709. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

19

Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee School Of Engineering placed #19 among the best values for chemical engineering. Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Milwaukee School Of Engineering generally make around $55,333. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

20

Trine University
Angola, IN

Trine University landed the #20 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,560. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $72,875. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

21

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford placed #21 among the best values for chemical engineering. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $77,542 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

22

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame earned the #22 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $83,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.

23

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton came in at #23 for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,999 in student loans. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $79,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,999 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

24

Kettering University
Flint, MI

Kettering University earned the #24 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,425 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Kettering University earn a median of $71,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

25

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University earned the #25 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $83,706. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.