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Cheapest Chemistry Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Williams College chemistry students graduate with just $12,000 in debt while their peers at UMass-Boston earn $25,194 after graduation, highlighting the stark contrasts within Massachusetts chemistry programs. Net costs span from $14,738 at Worcester State to $25,299 at top-tier institutions, yet earnings potential varies dramatically across the state's 20 chemistry programs. Massachusetts chemistry graduates enter a job market centered around Cambridge and Boston's biotech corridor, where companies like Biogen and Moderna drive demand for analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry expertise. State universities dominate the affordability rankings, with Worcester State leading at $14,738 net cost and 87.66% acceptance rate. The MassGrant Plus program helps in-state students access public chemistry programs, though private institutions like Harvard and MIT offer substantial financial aid that brings their net costs below $20,000 despite sticker prices exceeding $59,000.
41
Programs
$14,738 – $43,273
Net Price Range
$41,694
Avg. Program Earnings
71.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

41 Chemistry Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,738 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
2 $14,852 $64,860 96.6% 8.5%
3 $15,432 $11,046 52.7% 86.1%
4 $16,698 $11,630 49.5% 87.4%
5 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
6 $17,733 $28,610 35.3% 61.9%
7 $17,970 $11,389 54.6% 87.7%
8 $18,246 $67,280 93.4% 7.3%
9 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
10 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
11 $18,561 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
12 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
13 $18,707 $11,884 49.1% 92.5%
14 $19,813 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
15 $20,605 $15,208 49.0% 95.5%
16 $21,436 $42,061 64.7% 90.9%
17 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
18 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
19 $25,008 $64,320 91.2% 13.6%
20 $25,299 $42,970 42.3% 89.4%
21 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
22 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
23 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
24 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
25 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
26 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
27 $29,562 $64,142 85.0% 39.8%
28 $29,969 $54,500 80.8% 73.4%
29 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
30 $30,934 $62,080 75.7% 79.5%
31 $31,170 $46,430 63.9% 88.0%
32 $31,569 $46,686 65.8% 79.7%
33 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
34 $33,885 $64,946 86.1% 39.4%
35 $35,084 $38,850 63.3% 88.3%
36 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
37 $36,684 $66,594 54.2% 95.5%
38 $36,868 $60,850 89.6% 36.4%
39 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
40 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%
41 $43,273 $59,070 88.4% 57.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Worcester State University the most affordable chemistry option in Massachusetts?

Worcester State University offers chemistry programs at a net cost of just $14,738, making it the cheapest option in the state. In-state students pay only $11,286 in tuition, and graduates earn $49,644 annually. The university maintains an 87.66% acceptance rate with a 55.50% graduation rate, providing accessible chemistry education in central Massachusetts.

How do private college chemistry programs compare financially to public options?

Williams College and Harvard University both offer net costs below $17,000 despite sticker prices above $59,000, demonstrating substantial financial aid programs. Williams College chemistry graduates carry just $12,000 in debt, significantly lower than the $27,000 debt at Bridgewater State. However, earnings vary widely, with Williams graduates earning $25,525 compared to Bridgewater's $44,170.

Is MIT worth the cost for chemistry students compared to state universities?

MIT offers chemistry programs at a $19,813 net cost with a 96.10% graduation rate, though specific earnings data for chemistry graduates isn't available. The 3.96% acceptance rate makes admission highly competitive compared to state universities like Salem State with 92.66% acceptance. Students must weigh MIT's research opportunities against more affordable options like UMass-Lowell at $18,627.

Where do Massachusetts chemistry graduates find the best earning potential?

Worcester State chemistry graduates earn $49,644 annually, the highest reported figure among Massachusetts programs. Salem State follows at $45,696, while Bridgewater State graduates earn $44,170. The Boston biotech corridor and pharmaceutical companies throughout the state create strong demand for chemistry graduates across various specializations and career paths.

Does financial aid make elite chemistry programs accessible to middle-class students?

Harvard University offers chemistry programs at a $16,816 net cost despite a $59,076 sticker price, making it more affordable than many state universities. Amherst College provides similar value at $18,246 net cost with a $67,280 list price. These elite institutions often provide more generous financial aid than public universities for families earning between $65,000 and $150,000 annually.

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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.