[Chemical Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/chemical-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemical physics students.
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Finding the Best Value Chemical Physics School for You
The right chemical physics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Chemical Physics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Chemical Physics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for chemical physics in the United States. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the chemical physics program here. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical physics schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $16,100. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $16,100 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of California Davis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the chemical physics program here. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #4 place for chemical physics. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $16,616. Chemical Physics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical physics schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $21,238 in student loans. Chemical Physics graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $46,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #6 position for value in chemical physics this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $16,552 in student loans. Chemical Physics graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Lewis University earned the #7 position for value in chemical physics this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Students borrow a median of $22,781 to complete the chemical physics program here. Chemical Physics graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #8 spot for chemical physics value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $25,000. Chemical Physics graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $39,790 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #9 spot for chemical physics value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $28,481. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $52,531. That is a strong return on a $28,481 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #10 position for value in chemical physics this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $20,373. Chemical Physics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $72,394 early in their careers. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Centre College came in at #11 for value in chemical physics this year. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,820. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $26,560. Chemical Physics graduates of Centre College earn a median of $32,327 early in their careers. Set against $26,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Centre College admits about 54% of applicants.
Wellesley College came in at #12 for value in chemical physics this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the chemical physics program here. Chemical Physics graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Wooster landed the #13 spot for chemical physics value this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,640. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemical physics program here. Chemical Physics graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of Wooster admits about 60% of applicants.
Brown University came in at #14 for value in chemical physics this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University placed #15 among the best values for chemical physics. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Southern California earned the #16 position for value in chemical physics this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University came in at #17 for value in chemical physics this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $17,074. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $68,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Chemical Physics. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Chemical Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/chemical-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
