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Best Value Chemistry Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Northwestern University charges $27,143 in net costs while delivering $44,971 in median earnings for chemistry graduates, creating the highest return on investment among Illinois programs. This premium reflects the school's research strength and connections to Chicago's pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, where companies like Abbott Laboratories and Baxter International recruit heavily. At the opposite end, University of Illinois Springfield offers chemistry training for just $8,916 net cost, though earnings data remains unavailable for comparison. The state's public universities dominate the affordable options, with Western Illinois University producing graduates earning $40,737 annually for a net cost of $11,592. Illinois chemistry programs benefit from the state's chemical manufacturing base, which employs over 50,000 workers across facilities in Chicago, Peoria, and the Metro East region. Graduation rates vary dramatically from Northeastern Illinois University's concerning 16.8% to Northwestern's strong 95.9%, suggesting that program completion depends heavily on institutional support and student preparation.
46
Programs
$8,837 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$40,432
Avg. Program Earnings
58.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

46 Chemistry Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,592 $40,737 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
2 $13,696 $42,682 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
3 $15,201 $44,861 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
4 $12,909 $35,060 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
5 $12,313 $33,281 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
6 $16,177 $38,289 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
7 $27,143 $44,971 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
8 $29,141 $43,575 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
9 $23,066 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
10 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
11 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
12 $18,034 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
13 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
14 $18,191 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
15 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
16 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
17 $17,324 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
18 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
19 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
20 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
21 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
22 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
23 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
24 $21,386 $12,320 45.7% 91.3%
25 $26,984 $43,930 86.6% 88.4%
26 $21,270 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%
27 $18,992 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
28 $21,814 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%
29 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
30 $10,133 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
31 $18,967 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
32 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
33 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
34 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
35 $22,048 $28,400 40.6% 86.7%
36 $9,477 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
37 $35,196 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%
38 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
39 $29,550 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
40 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
41 $19,353 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
42 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
43 $25,027 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%
44 $24,875 $55,587 67.5% 73.3%
45 $27,499 $54,202 70.4% 59.7%
46 $12,437 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What chemistry program offers the best earnings relative to cost in Illinois?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign delivers strong value with graduates earning $44,861 annually for a net cost of $15,201. The program's 84.9% graduation rate indicates consistent degree completion. Northwestern produces slightly higher earnings at $44,971 but costs $27,143, making UIUC the better financial choice for most students.

How do Illinois public universities compare to private schools for chemistry value?

Public universities dominate the value rankings, with net costs ranging from $8,916 to $16,177 compared to private schools charging $12,093 to $29,141. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville exemplifies this advantage, charging $13,696 while producing graduates earning $42,682. Most private programs cannot match this cost-to-earnings ratio despite often higher graduation rates.

Is Northwestern University worth the premium cost for chemistry students?

Northwestern's $27,143 net cost represents the highest among Illinois programs, but graduates earn $44,971 annually with a 95.9% graduation rate. Students also benefit from Chicago's pharmaceutical job market and the university's research connections. However, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers comparable earnings at $44,861 for nearly half the cost.

Does Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville provide good chemistry program value?

SIUE offers strong value with a net cost of $13,696 and graduate earnings of $42,682, creating one of the best return ratios statewide. The program maintains a solid 55% graduation rate with high acceptance at 97.51%. Students graduate with manageable debt averaging $22,000, well below many competing programs.

Where do Illinois chemistry graduates find the best job opportunities?

Chicago anchors the state's chemistry job market with major pharmaceutical companies like Abbott Laboratories and Takeda. The city's biotechnology corridor along with chemical manufacturing in Peoria and East St. Louis create varied opportunities. Illinois chemistry programs benefit from proximity to over 50,000 chemical industry jobs statewide, particularly in research and development roles.

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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.