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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools

231 Colleges in the United States
$22,021 Avg Student Debt
$64,271 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Badge [General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1371 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Chemistry Schools

1

California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools in the United States. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $11,000. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

2

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. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $18,675 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $45,076. Set against $18,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,874. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $34,239. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

5
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,340 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

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California State University San Bernardino placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,553 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,402. Set against $16,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

7
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #7 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,824 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $25,418. Set against $14,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

8
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #8 spot for general chemistry value this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.

9

California State University Long Beach came in at #9 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $15,680. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

10
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College landed the #10 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $53,154. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

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Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #11 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

12

Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #12 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $11,492 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

13

Cuny Lehman College came in at #13 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $12,136. General Chemistry graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $31,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,136 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

14

The University Of West Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

15

University Of Central Florida came in at #15 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $19,706 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $43,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,706 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

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California State University Channel Islands came in at #16 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $46,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

17

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #17 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $10,500. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $22,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

18
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University landed the #18 spot for general chemistry value this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

19
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #19 for value in general chemistry this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

20

Dalton State College landed the #20 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Students borrow a median of $14,955 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $41,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Murray State University earned the #21 position for value in general chemistry this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $48,334. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

California State University East Bay landed the #22 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

23

Utah Valley University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

24

California State University San Marcos came in at #24 for value in general chemistry this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $17,527. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $49,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

25

Weber State University came in at #25 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $50,350 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Chemistry Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general chemistry this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Other General Chemistry Degree Levels

Explore the best-value general chemistry schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Chemistry
Associate's Degrees in General Chemistry
Master's Degrees in General Chemistry
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View All General Chemistry 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 · 1371 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 231 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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