by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in chemistry, no school beat University Of Nebraska At Omaha this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Wayne State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $46,646. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #3. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Creighton University earned it the #4 place for chemistry. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Students borrow a median of $26,733 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $64,369. That is a strong return on a $26,733 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.