by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biochemistry](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/biochemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biochemistry education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biochemistry students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biochemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Mercyhurst College earned the #1 spot for value among biochemistry schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $25,705 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $46,009. Set against $25,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Swarthmore College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $66,971. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Allegheny College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biochemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,550. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $26,962 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $34,175. That is a strong return on a $26,962 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
A rank of #4 makes Juniata College one of the best values for biochemistry. Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntingdon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,580. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $26,976. Biochemistry graduates of Juniata College earn a median of $30,552 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $26,178 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks earn a median of $43,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,178 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Messiah College landed the #6 spot for biochemistry value this year. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,240. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $26,195. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $48,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for biochemistry value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $16,155. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #8 among the best values for biochemistry. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of Temple University earn a median of $45,994 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Susquehanna University landed the #9 spot for biochemistry value this year. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $39,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Susquehanna University admits about 81% of applicants.
Saint Josephs University came in at #10 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $44,442. That is a strong return on a $26,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #11 spot for biochemistry value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,558 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $33,554. Set against $26,558 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Gettysburg College came in at #12 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,640. Students borrow a median of $26,309 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $43,376. That is a strong return on a $26,309 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Scranton earned the #13 position for value in biochemistry this year. University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Students from in state pay about $53,777 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $27,000. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $56,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $26,178. Biochemistry graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $43,288 early in their careers. Set against $26,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College earned the #15 position for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $16,931 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $59,513. That is a strong return on a $16,931 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Lehigh University placed #16 among the best values for biochemistry. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Students borrow a median of $20,710 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $70,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University placed #17 among the best values for biochemistry. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $54,826. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $28,838. Biochemistry graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bucknell University placed #19 among the best values for biochemistry. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,812. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $25,951. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Bucknell University generally make around $64,331. Set against $25,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $27,000. Biochemistry graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.