by our College Data Analytics Team
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemistry education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value chemistry schools.
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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.
Our analysis ranked Grinnell College the best value for a degree in chemistry in Iowa. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $38,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $57,326. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,956 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $44,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at Drake University, which ranked #4. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $22,273. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
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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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.