2027 Best Value Molecular Biology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 56 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value molecular biology schools.
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2027 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in molecular biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Molecular Biology Schools
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among molecular biology schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $41,848. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for molecular biology. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for molecular biology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $14,920 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $35,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in molecular biology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $26,582. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $66,288. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in molecular biology this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $26,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Texas Womans University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Molecular Biology graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for molecular biology. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #9 for value in molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $32,221. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Arizona State University placed #10 among the best values for molecular biology. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $43,333. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wyoming placed #11 among the best values for molecular biology. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #12 spot for molecular biology value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $28,642 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Washington State University earned the #13 position for value in molecular biology this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $22,500. Molecular Biology graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #14 position for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $19,500. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Vanderbilt University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $58,034. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #16 position for value in molecular biology this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Molecular Biology graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $31,225 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $27,000. Molecular Biology graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $41,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #18 position for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $37,830. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,948 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $44,074. That is a strong return on a $20,948 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value molecular biology schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $30,275. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $22,574. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $49,911. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #22 for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $23,581 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $51,931. Set against $23,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho placed #23 among the best values for molecular biology. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #24 position for value in molecular biology this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $25,359. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Kansas landed the #25 spot for molecular biology value this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $18,004. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $41,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for molecular biology this year:
Other Molecular Biology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Molecular Biology rankings across degree levels:
View All Molecular Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
