by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/physical-chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical chemistry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for physical chemistry students.
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The right physical chemistry school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Physical Chemistry Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physical Chemistry Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in physical chemistry, no school beat University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the physical chemistry program here. Early-career physical chemistry graduates make about $24,881. That is a strong return on a $5,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the physical chemistry program here. Physical Chemistry graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $57,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Dartmouth College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Typical student debt for physical chemistry graduates is $16,989. Soon after graduation, physical chemistry degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
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Physical Chemistry is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.