2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in North Carolina
[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 39 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $14,250. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $51,671. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at North Carolina A And T State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $29,078. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $50,715. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at University Of North Carolina At Asheville, which ranked #3. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $12,825 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $36,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $35,579. That is a strong return on a $25,766 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Carolina University earned it the #5 place for general chemistry. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,824 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $26,513. Set against $20,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,154 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $76,874. That is a strong return on a $20,154 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $26,000. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $35,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Appalachian State University placed #8 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,949 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $40,488 early in their careers. Set against $24,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
East Carolina University placed #9 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $47,875. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Davidson College came in at #10 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,430. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $41,505. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #11 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $54,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Wake Forest University placed #12 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Duke University landed the #13 spot for general chemistry value this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $8,457. General Chemistry graduates of Duke University earn a median of $29,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
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Notes and References
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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
