by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general chemistry education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general chemistry schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Lake Superior State University the best value for a degree in general chemistry in Michigan. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $22,429. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $47,910. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $85,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan Technological University earned it the #3 place for general chemistry. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Detroit Mercy earned it the #4 place for general chemistry. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $21,590. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $35,813. Set against $21,590 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
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Eastern Michigan University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $45,060. That is a strong return on a $22,300 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $46,496 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Northern Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $25,500. General Chemistry graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Kalamazoo College came in at #9 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,900. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Kalamazoo College generally make around $39,940. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #10 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $28,481 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $52,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,481 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Hope College placed #11 among the best values for general chemistry. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,636 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $21,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.