by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemistry education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 140 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value chemistry schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
San Diego Miramar College tops our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools in California. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. 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. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $17,075. Chemistry graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for chemistry. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,944. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Irvine Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Golden West College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #7 spot for chemistry value 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, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #8 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $5,500. Chemistry graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #9 for value in chemistry this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton landed the #10 spot for chemistry value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,675 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $45,076 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Solano Community College landed the #11 spot for chemistry value this year. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Sacramento City College earned the #12 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Orange Coast College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. 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.
Allan Hancock College came in at #14 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,553. Chemistry graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $40,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
El Camino Community College District came in at #16 for value in chemistry this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Palomar College placed #17 among the best values for chemistry. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Diablo Valley College earned the #18 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $9,205. 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.
California State University Northridge ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $44,874 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno landed the #20 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $17,500. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $18,896. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #21 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $15,680. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $50,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands came in at #22 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $46,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Fullerton College came in at #23 for value in chemistry this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
California State University San Marcos placed #24 among the best values for chemistry. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $49,382 early in their careers. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for chemistry this year:
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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 · 140 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
