2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

St Charles Community College
Cottleville, MO

Our analysis ranked St Charles Community College the best value for a degree in chemistry in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $48,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

3

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $25,187. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $74,532. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

4

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #4 place for chemistry. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $24,821 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,725 early in their careers. Set against $24,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

5

Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grinnell College earned it the #5 place for chemistry. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. Students from in state pay about $68,196 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $38,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

6

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University earned the #6 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $43,255. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

7

Wayne State College
Wayne, NE

Wayne State College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $22,974. Chemistry graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #8 among the best values for chemistry. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $21,158. Chemistry graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $47,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,158 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

9

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #9 for value in chemistry this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,884 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $39,478. Set against $24,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.

10

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University came in at #10 for value in chemistry this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #11 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

12

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,608. Chemistry graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

13

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #13 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,674. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.

14

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield placed #14 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $23,750. Chemistry graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $41,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $57,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

16

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University came in at #16 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $59,387. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

17

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University came in at #17 for value in chemistry this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $28,663. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

18

Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University earned the #18 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $50,003. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.

19

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #19 for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $45,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

20

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University earned the #20 position for value in chemistry this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Students borrow a median of $29,646 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.

21

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis placed #21 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $17,360 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.

22

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #22 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,956 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,847. That is a strong return on a $25,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

23

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College earned the #23 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,988 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

24

The College Of Saint Scholastica
Duluth, MN

The College Of Saint Scholastica earned the #24 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,778. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,755. Chemistry graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $60,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,755 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

25

Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, MN

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,076. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $26,901. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. That is a strong return on a $26,901 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.