2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Washington

[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general chemistry schools.
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
Eastern Washington University tops our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools in Washington. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $15,389. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $46,369. Set against $15,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Washington State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Western Washington University, which ranked #4. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,104 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $48,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,104 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Central Washington University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,607 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $44,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Pacific Lutheran University came in at #6 for value in general chemistry this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $44,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
Whitworth University earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,880. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Whitworth University generally make around $33,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Whitworth University admits about 90% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.