2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University earned the #1 spot for value among general chemistry schools in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,081. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $53,952. That is a strong return on a $23,081 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

2

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $42,482. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $66,397. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,474 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $20,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

5

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $31,980 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $21,500. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $85,454 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

7

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $46,659. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

8

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $17,349. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $23,023 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $43,061. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

10

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University placed #10 among the best values for general chemistry. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,293. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

11

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University placed #11 among the best values for general chemistry. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

12

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #12 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $74,138. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

13

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #13 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $66,955 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

14

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University earned the #14 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,429 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $47,910. That is a strong return on a $22,429 median debt.

15

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.

16

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #17 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $26,043. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $78,863. That is a strong return on a $26,043 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #18 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

19

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #19 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $49,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

20

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #20 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $21,590. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $35,813. Set against $21,590 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

21

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #21 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $25,000. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $42,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

22

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University came in at #22 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,744 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $48,147. That is a strong return on a $24,744 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

23

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #23 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $50,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

24

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,500. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $44,970 early in their careers. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.