2026 Best Value Chemical Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University tops our 2026 list of the best value chemical physics schools in the United States. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $16,100 in student loans. Chemical Physics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical physics schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $14,000. Chemical Physics graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

4

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical physics schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $21,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

5

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #5 place for chemical physics. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

6

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno placed #6 among the best values for chemical physics. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,552 to complete the chemical physics program here. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. Set against $16,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

7

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #7 among the best values for chemical physics. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Set against $22,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

8

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #8 position for value in chemical physics this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the chemical physics program here. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $39,790. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

9

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical physics schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $28,481 to complete the chemical physics program here. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $39,531. That is a strong return on a $28,481 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

10

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #10 position for value in chemical physics this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $20,373. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $72,394. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

11

Centre College
Danville, KY

Centre College placed #11 among the best values for chemical physics. Centre College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,820. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $26,560 in student loans. 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. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

12

Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College came in at #12 for value in chemical physics this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $48,902. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

13

The College Of Wooster
Wooster, OH

The College Of Wooster came in at #13 for value in chemical physics 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. Soon after graduation, chemical physics degree recipients from The College Of Wooster generally make around $32,382. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

14

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #14 position for value in chemical physics this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.

15

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #15 for value in chemical physics this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for chemical physics graduates is $23,529. Early-career chemical physics graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.

16

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #16 position for value in chemical physics this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Chemical Physics graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Chemical Physics graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

17

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #17 position for value in chemical physics this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the chemical physics program here. Chemical Physics graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.