2026 Best Value Chemical Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for chemical engineering in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $81,777. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

3

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $51,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

4

Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earned it the #4 place for chemical engineering. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $46,820. Students borrow a median of $16,805 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art generally make around $16,678. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art admits about 21% of applicants.

5

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $67,450. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

6

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #6 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $26,058 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $80,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

7

New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $26,437. Chemical Engineering graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $79,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

8

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $21,570. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $66,023. That is a strong return on a $21,570 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

9

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #9 among the best values for chemical engineering. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $75,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

10

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $24,797. Chemical Engineering graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $72,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,797 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.

11

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $23,161 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $67,783. That is a strong return on a $23,161 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

12

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #12 among the best values for chemical engineering. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $78,979. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

13

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Johnstown, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned the #13 position for value in chemical engineering this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,548 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $73,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

14

Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Thomas Jefferson University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $32,256 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. Set against $32,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

15

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University came in at #15 for value in chemical engineering this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $23,863 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Chemical Engineering graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $61,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,863 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.

16

Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,400. Students borrow a median of $26,503 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $73,333. That is a strong return on a $26,503 median debt. Manhattan College admits about 79% of applicants.

17

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #17 spot for chemical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $26,548. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $73,072. That is a strong return on a $26,548 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

18

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,984. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.

19

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $20,500. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $81,721. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester earned the #20 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the chemical engineering program here. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $71,028. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

21

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Chemical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

22

Widener University Main Campus
Chester, PA

Widener University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Chemical Engineering graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $71,160 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

23

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University earned the #23 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $14,361. Chemical Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $85,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

24

Clarkson University
Potsdam, NY

Clarkson University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical engineering schools. Set in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemical engineering graduates make about $75,887. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

25

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in chemical engineering this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.