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Best Value Chemistry Colleges in Texas

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

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley delivers the strongest return on investment for chemistry students in Texas, charging just $6,500 net annually while graduates earn $43,798. This creates an earnings-to-cost ratio that surpasses even flagship institutions. At the opposite end, Baylor University costs $41,942 but produces graduates earning $38,289, making it the only program where net price exceeds median earnings. Texas chemistry graduates enter a market where Houston's Texas Medical Center employs thousands of lab technicians, research scientists, and pharmaceutical specialists. Public universities dominate the value equation here, with eight of the top ten schools charging under $17,000 annually. The earnings spread spans nearly $30,000, from Texas Tech's $27,669 to Texas State's $57,318, reflecting different career paths within the field. Graduation rates vary dramatically, from Texas Southern's 19.9% to UT Austin's 87.6%, suggesting that student support systems matter as much as program quality. With Texas ranking second nationally in healthcare employment, chemistry graduates find opportunities in medical research, energy, and manufacturing sectors.
50
Programs
$6,500 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$41,481
Avg. Program Earnings
51.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Chemistry Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,500 $43,798 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
2 $13,853 $51,106 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
3 $11,234 $40,089 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
4 $16,438 $57,318 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
5 $14,623 $44,170 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
6 $15,137 $45,696 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
7 $16,025 $42,682 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
8 $14,352 $32,213 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
9 $20,924 $44,021 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
10 $19,678 $39,639 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
11 $19,734 $32,569 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
12 $20,071 $27,669 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
13 $41,942 $38,289 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
14 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
15 $27,468 $51,058 69.3% 44.8%
16 $41,778 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
17 $21,352 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
18 $13,931 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
19 $20,581 $24,588 41.1% 53.6%
20 $10,991 $7,592 27.4% 97.1%
21 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
22 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
23 $15,235 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
24 $17,435 $14,564 70.8% 84.7%
25 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
26 $12,640 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
27 $33,531 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
28 $22,587 $34,920 55.2% 91.8%
29 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
30 $19,398 $37,934 32.4% 60.9%
31 $10,948 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
32 $23,650 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
33 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
34 $20,841 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
35 $10,095 $12,500 20.0%
36 $10,409 $11,720 15.1%
37 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
38 $23,451 $46,500 69.5% 54.4%
39 $22,240 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
40 $25,470 $50,880 68.0% 58.7%
41 $23,790 $30,050 48.0% 67.7%
42 $12,637 $7,930 31.2% 91.5%
43 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
44 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
45 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
46 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
47 $25,255 $33,322 31.1% 62.3%
48 $19,847 $14,703 36.1% 51.9%
49 $20,498 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
50 $20,410 $37,396 43.7% 85.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UT Rio Grande Valley such good value for chemistry students?

UT Rio Grande Valley charges only $6,500 net annually while graduates earn $43,798, creating an earnings-to-cost ratio of nearly 7-to-1. The acceptance rate of 87.7% makes admission accessible, though the 49.3% graduation rate requires student commitment. This combination of low cost and solid earnings potential makes it the top value choice in Texas.

How do flagship universities compare on chemistry program value?

UT Austin costs $19,678 annually but graduates earn just $39,639, while Texas A&M College Station charges $20,924 with graduates earning $44,021. Both flagship programs cost three times more than UT Rio Grande Valley but don't deliver proportionally higher earnings. However, their graduation rates of 87.6% and 83.8% respectively far exceed the state average.

Is private education worth the extra cost for chemistry majors?

Baylor University charges $41,942 annually but graduates earn only $38,289, making it the sole program where costs exceed median earnings. Hardin-Simmons costs $21,031 with unreported earnings data, while Wiley University at $10,095 shows a 20% graduation rate. Private options generally offer poor value compared to public alternatives in Texas.

Does location affect chemistry graduate earnings in Texas?

Houston-area schools show mixed results, with University of Houston graduates earning $51,106 and UH-Downtown graduates earning $44,170. San Antonio's UT campus produces graduates earning $40,089, while rural Sam Houston State graduates earn $42,682. Location alone doesn't determine earnings, as program quality and industry connections matter more than geography.

Where do Texas chemistry graduates find the highest-paying jobs?

Texas State University graduates earn the highest median salary at $57,318, followed by University of Houston at $51,106 and Texas A&M Corpus Christi at $45,696. These earnings reflect opportunities in Houston's medical complex, energy sector research, and pharmaceutical companies. The state's second-largest healthcare workforce creates steady demand for chemistry professionals across multiple industries.

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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.