2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in New York
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 80 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general chemistry schools.
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in general chemistry in New York. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $34,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,340. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,136 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $31,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $11,492. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #6 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,000. General Chemistry graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $52,645 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $37,022. Set against $20,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #8 for value in general chemistry this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $31,685 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany came in at #9 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,856 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $48,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #10 among the best values for general chemistry. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo landed the #11 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,250. General Chemistry graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $60,376 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $19,500. General Chemistry graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $35,115 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
St Johns University New York placed #13 among the best values for general chemistry. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $57,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Iona College came in at #14 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,260 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,000. General Chemistry graduates of Iona College earn a median of $51,530 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester landed the #15 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $60,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #16 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Students borrow a median of $24,677 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. That is a strong return on a $24,677 median debt. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
St Lawrence University came in at #17 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,900. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,192 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $39,993. That is a strong return on a $26,192 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,121 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $28,372. That is a strong return on a $15,121 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,078. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $77,378. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Skidmore College came in at #20 for value in general chemistry this year. Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $67,140. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $18,274. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Skidmore College generally make around $34,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Skidmore College admits about 21% of applicants.
New York University landed the #21 spot for general chemistry value this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from New York University generally make around $37,249. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Syracuse University came in at #22 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,459 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $21,459 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
