by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemistry students.
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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.
George Mason University earned the #1 spot for value among chemistry schools in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $24,250. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $50,304. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,872. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $38,571. That is a strong return on a $21,872 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mary Washington earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,739 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $43,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,739 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes James Madison University one of the best values for chemistry. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,332. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $45,799. That is a strong return on a $25,332 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #5 makes Christopher Newport University one of the best values for chemistry. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $39,245 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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College Of William And Mary ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $35,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #7 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $19,425 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $30,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #8 for value in chemistry this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,497 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $45,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Randolph Macon College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,466. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,432. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Randolph Macon College generally make around $40,317. That is a strong return on a $26,432 median debt. Randolph Macon College admits about 87% of applicants.
Liberty University placed #10 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Richmond ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $22,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.