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2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Colorado

6 Colleges in the United States
$22,526 Avg Student Debt
$63,223 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Chemistry Badge [Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.

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2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in Colorado

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

Best Value Chemistry Schools

1

For return on investment in chemistry, no school beat Metropolitan State College Of Denver this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,318 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $34,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.

2
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Lewis College earned it the #2 place for chemistry. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $15,417. Chemistry graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $34,159 early in their careers. Set against $15,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado Denver earned it the #3 place for chemistry. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,365 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at University Of Northern Colorado, which ranked #4. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Students borrow a median of $26,626 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $45,406. That is a strong return on a $26,626 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Colorado State University Fort Collins one of the best values for chemistry. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,062. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $63,896. That is a strong return on a $19,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

6

University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #6 spot for chemistry value this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $72,394. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

7

Colorado School Of Mines landed the #7 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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