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

11 Colleges in the United States
$20,665 Avg Student Debt
$61,453 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Chemistry Badge [Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.

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2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in North Carolina

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

Best Value Chemistry Schools

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among chemistry schools in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $14,250. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $51,671. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

2

North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,825 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $36,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,825 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $25,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $35,579. Set against $25,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for chemistry. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,824. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $26,513. Set against $20,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

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6

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $20,154 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $76,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #7 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $35,482 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

8

East Carolina University placed #8 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $47,875. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

9

Appalachian State University placed #9 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,949. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $40,488. Set against $24,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

10
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College came in at #10 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,430. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $41,505. Set against $19,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.

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11

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #11 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $19,935. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $54,165. Set against $19,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.

12
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #12 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.

13
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #13 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $8,457. Chemistry graduates of Duke University earn a median of $29,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 40 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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