2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools

1

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for chemistry in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $18,675. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $45,076. Set against $18,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #4 place for chemistry. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,202. Chemistry graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $44,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

6

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $13,303. Chemistry graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $34,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #7 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $14,824 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $54,389. Set against $14,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

8

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College came in at #8 for value in chemistry this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

9

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.

10

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,553 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $40,402. That is a strong return on a $16,553 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

11

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

12

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College came in at #13 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $5,707. Chemistry graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College earned the #14 position for value in chemistry this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College earned the #16 position for value in chemistry this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $8,978. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,553. That is a strong return on a $15,680 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

18

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #18 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

19

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

20

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $11,196. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District came in at #21 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,412 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA

Solano Community College placed #22 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #23 position for value in chemistry this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

24

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College placed #24 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,136 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $31,815 early in their careers. Set against $12,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

25

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #25 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.