2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Our analysis ranked Indiana State University the best value for a degree in chemistry in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,081 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,081 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

2

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,902. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,482. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for chemistry. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $66,397. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for chemistry. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,474 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $20,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

5

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Chemistry graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $31,980 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $85,454. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

7

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College came in at #7 for value in chemistry this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $17,349. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #8 among the best values for chemistry. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $46,659 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

9

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,023. Chemistry graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $43,061 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,023 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

10

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,293. Chemistry graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

11

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University landed the #11 spot for chemistry value this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,800. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #12 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $74,138. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

13

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #13 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $66,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

14

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University earned the #14 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,890 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $47,910. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #15 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $29,053. Chemistry graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

16

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,836. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

17

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #17 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,043. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $78,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #18 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.

19

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. Set against $23,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

20

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,590 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $35,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

21

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University earned the #22 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,744 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $48,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

23

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #23 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $50,659. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

24

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,500. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

25

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #25 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $15,854. Chemistry graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.