2027 Best Value Biochemistry Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Biochemistry](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/biochemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biochemistry students.
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2027 Best Value Biochemistry Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biochemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biochemistry Schools
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 best value for biochemistry in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $37,830. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in biochemistry will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $22,635. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Grinnell College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $16,549 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $38,598. That is a strong return on a $16,549 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,316 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $49,509. That is a strong return on a $27,316 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #5 place for biochemistry. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $18,004. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $41,487. Set against $18,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #6 position for value in biochemistry this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $19,980 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $33,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,980 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University came in at #7 for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $19,477 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $43,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,477 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #8 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $20,500. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $31,150 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Wesleyan University landed the #9 spot for biochemistry value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,572. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Nebraska Wesleyan University generally make around $52,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #10 position for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $25,260. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $53,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Kansas State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $29,651. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #12 position for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $25,437 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $40,492. Set against $25,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Loras College earned the #13 position for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $43,117. That is a strong return on a $26,528 median debt. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #14 for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $21,626 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $29,991. That is a strong return on a $21,626 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Simpson College came in at #15 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $26,816. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $48,888. That is a strong return on a $26,816 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Drury University landed the #16 spot for biochemistry value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of Drury University earn a median of $37,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,641 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #17 position for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,076. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
Westminster College Missouri placed #18 among the best values for biochemistry. Westminster College Missouri is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fulton. In-state tuition and fees average $35,214. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $25,335 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of Westminster College Missouri earn a median of $37,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Johns University came in at #19 for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,816. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $47,238. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rockhurst University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $44,966. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $24,111 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $70,849. That is a strong return on a $24,111 median debt. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #21 among the best values for biochemistry. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $25,639. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $61,465. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #22 for value in biochemistry this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $24,226. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $34,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University came in at #23 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,856 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $64,369. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College earned the #24 position for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,250. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $26,793 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,793 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.