2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Missouri
[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.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general chemistry schools.
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
St Charles Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general chemistry schools in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $12,606. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned it the #2 place for general chemistry. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $74,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,821. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,725 early in their careers. Set against $24,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $43,255. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Northwest Missouri State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,884. General Chemistry graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $39,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $41,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University came in at #7 for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $48,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #8 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $45,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis placed #9 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,360 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
