by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general chemistry schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $14,824. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $54,389. That is a strong return on a $14,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, 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. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #3 place for general chemistry. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $18,896. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $69,821. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
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The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 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. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $10,500. General Chemistry graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $22,913 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #7 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. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Florida International University landed the #8 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $28,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $13,276. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $63,601. Set against $13,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #10 position for value in general chemistry this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #11 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,140. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #12 position for value in general chemistry this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,100. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $69,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $43,294. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #14 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,389 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $46,369 early in their careers. Set against $15,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #15 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $14,137 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $64,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Lamar University earned the #16 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in general chemistry this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $66,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Mcneese State University earned the #18 position for value in general chemistry this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Students borrow a median of $24,433 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $46,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Arizona State University came in at #19 for value in general chemistry this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $21,885. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $38,766. Set against $21,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #20 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $25,000. General Chemistry graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $46,659 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #21 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,356. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $36,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside came in at #22 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $39,676 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #23 position for value in general chemistry this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $74,138. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #24 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. 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 $60,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #25 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general chemistry:
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Explore the best-value general chemistry schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 47 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
