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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Pennsylvania

5 Colleges in the United States
$25,666 Avg Student Debt
$73,246 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Chemistry Badge [Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemistry education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 86 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.

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2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Pennsylvania

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Chemistry Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Saint Francis University the best value for a degree in chemistry in Pennsylvania. Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Loretto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $30,729 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $63,097 early in their careers. Set against $30,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,400 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $35,098 early in their careers. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology admits about 87% of applicants.

3

Pennsylvania Western University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,438 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $42,972. Set against $29,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

5

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College came in at #6 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.

7

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.

8
Juniata College crest
Juniata College
Huntingdon, PA

Juniata College came in at #8 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the town of Huntingdon, Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,580 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Juniata College earn a median of $30,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

9
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,000. Chemistry graduates of Temple University earn a median of $42,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

10

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #10 for value in chemistry this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $57,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

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University Of Scranton placed #11 among the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,777. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $56,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.

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University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

13

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #13 spot for chemistry value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,529. Chemistry graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

14

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

15
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University earned the #15 position for value in chemistry this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $29,667. Chemistry graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $49,215 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,667 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.

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16

Franklin And Marshall College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $70,794 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,411. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Franklin And Marshall College generally make around $43,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.

17
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $64,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,951 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

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Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Students from in state pay about $65,920 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. Set against $23,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

19
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $77,371. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

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 · 86 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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