[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1371 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
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Finding the Best Value General Chemistry School for You
The general chemistry program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value General Chemistry Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Chemistry Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among general chemistry schools in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $18,675 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $45,076. Set against $18,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for general chemistry. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $44,874. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $34,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $14,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $54,389. Set against $14,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #8 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $9,000. General Chemistry graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Oxnard College earned the #9 position for value in general chemistry this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #10 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $40,402. That is a strong return on a $16,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #11 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College earned the #12 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the general chemistry program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College earned the #13 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #14 spot for general chemistry value this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Golden West College placed #15 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,553. That is a strong return on a $15,680 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University placed #18 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $13,389. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Santa Ana College earned the #20 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #21 for value in general chemistry this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $12,412 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $12,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College placed #22 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanford University earned the #23 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $10,492. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #24 position for value in general chemistry this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $11,492. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,323. Set against $11,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #25 position for value in general chemistry this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $12,136. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $31,815. That is a strong return on a $12,136 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Chemistry Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general chemistry value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 1371 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 237 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).
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
