2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Illinois
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among general chemistry schools in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,474. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,474 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $31,980. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,023 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $43,061. Set against $23,023 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #4 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values for general chemistry. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $46,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Illinois University one of the best values for general chemistry. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,293. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $43,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago landed the #7 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Lewis University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,781 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $55,718. Set against $22,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Illinois State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $49,660. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in general chemistry this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $26,774. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Bradley University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University placed #12 among the best values for general chemistry. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $90,302. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #13 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $58,568. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
