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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 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.
For return on investment in general chemistry, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $19,176. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $50,350. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Southern Utah University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #4. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,283. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $40,280. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for general chemistry. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $41,275. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
Utah State University placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $12,184. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $54,507. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #8 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $29,318. General Chemistry graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $34,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College landed the #9 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $15,417. General Chemistry graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $34,159 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #10 position for value in general chemistry this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,365 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,022. That is a strong return on a $22,365 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #11 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $26,626. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $45,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,626 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University earned the #12 position for value in general chemistry this year. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,623 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #13 for value in general chemistry this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $19,062 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $63,896. Set against $19,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Montana State University earned the #14 position for value in general chemistry this year. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #15 spot for general chemistry value this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $72,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #16 spot for general chemistry value this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,521. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $76,298. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.