2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Minnesota

[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 39 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Minnesota
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools in Minnesota. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,158 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $47,451. That is a strong return on a $21,158 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $22,500. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $44,674 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Students borrow a median of $29,646 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,646 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
St Olaf College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,988 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,020. That is a strong return on a $24,988 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at The College Of Saint Scholastica, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,778. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,755 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $60,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,755 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,076. Students borrow a median of $26,901 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,901 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Carleton College earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $17,000. General Chemistry graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
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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 7 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.