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Chemical Engineering Colleges Under $15,000

Programs with net price under $15,000. See our methodology.

Princeton University graduates from its Chemical Engineering program earn strong starting salaries, yet students can attend for just $10,555 annually through need-based aid that covers 82% of the $59,710 sticker price. This creates an unusual changing in affordable engineering education where the nation's most selective program (5.7% acceptance rate) becomes accessible to low-income students. Meanwhile, public options like CUNY City College offer Chemical Engineering for $3,486 net cost with graduates earning $35,416 annually. The chemical industry employs over 800,000 workers across petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, and materials manufacturing, with major facilities concentrated in Texas Gulf Coast, Louisiana, and the Northeast corridor. Students can choose between community-focused regional campuses in Ohio where net costs hover around $5,000, or flagship state universities like University of Florida where 91.5% of students graduate and earn $73,145 annually. The $69,729 earnings gap between top and bottom programs reflects both institutional prestige and regional economic opportunities in chemical manufacturing hubs.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $14,013
Net Price Range
$62,862
Avg. Program Earnings
61.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Chemical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
3 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
4 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
5 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
6 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
7 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
8 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
9 $8,265 $9,058 56.4% 74.4%
10 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
11 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
12 $9,957 $8,064 36.1% 64.6%
13 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
14 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
15 $10,555 $59,710 97.1% 5.7%
16 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
17 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
18 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
19 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
20 $11,257 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
21 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
22 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
23 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
24 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
25 $11,779 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
26 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
27 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
28 $12,209 $10,125 57.6% 62.4%
29 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
30 $12,640 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
31 $12,684 $5,274 47.0% 54.4%
32 $12,817 $10,144 53.1% 82.7%
33 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
34 $12,997 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
35 $13,164 $9,412 68.5% 97.4%
36 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
37 $13,289 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
38 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
39 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
40 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
41 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
42 $13,726 $8,834 56.0% 89.1%
43 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
44 $13,773 $14,278 63.6% 81.5%
45 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
46 $13,825 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
47 $13,853 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
48 $13,931 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
49 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
50 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between Princeton at $10,555 and CUNY City College at $3,486?

Princeton's net price reflects generous financial aid that reduces the $59,710 sticker price by 82% for families earning under $100,000 annually. CUNY City College charges just $7,340 in-state tuition with additional aid bringing net cost to $3,486. Both schools make Chemical Engineering accessible through different funding models, with Princeton using endowment resources and CUNY leveraging state subsidies for New York residents.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in these Chemical Engineering programs?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with Princeton achieving 97.1% graduation and University of Florida reaching 91.5% at $6,351 net cost. Ohio University regional campuses cost under $6,500 but have graduation rates between 12.1% and 20%, reflecting the challenges students face at commuter-focused institutions. California State University-Long Beach breaks this pattern with 69.9% graduation rate at $8,931 net cost.

Is the $37,729 earnings gap between University of Florida and CUNY City College graduates justified?

University of Florida Chemical Engineering graduates earn $73,145 annually compared to $35,416 at CUNY City College, reflecting regional job markets and alumni networks. Florida's proximity to aerospace, petrochemicals, and pharmaceutical industries in the Southeast provides higher-paying opportunities. CUNY graduates often work in the Northeast's more regulated chemical industry or transition into finance and consulting roles in New York City.

Does attending a regional campus significantly impact Chemical Engineering career outcomes?

Ohio University's regional campuses show concerning graduation rates below 21% despite low costs under $7,000 annually. These campuses typically offer foundational coursework before students transfer to main campuses for specialized Chemical Engineering courses. The $22,732 median debt across all Ohio University campuses suggests students often need additional time and resources to complete their degrees.

Where do Chemical Engineering students find the best value considering both cost and earnings potential?

New Mexico State University offers strong value at $6,747 net cost with graduates earning $58,673 annually, providing a 8.7:1 earnings-to-cost ratio. University of Connecticut-Waterbury delivers $66,989 graduate earnings for $8,896 net cost, though the 97.9% acceptance rate suggests less selective admission. California State University-Long Beach combines reasonable $8,931 costs with $58,221 earnings and solid 69.9% graduation rates.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.