2027 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for molecular biology students.
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2027 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the molecular biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Molecular Biology Schools
For return on investment in molecular biology, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor 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, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $17,750. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $40,562 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in molecular biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $22,574. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in molecular biology will find it at Eastern Michigan University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $25,359 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $47,887. Set against $25,359 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #5 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $51,184 early in their careers. Set against $20,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Depauw University earned the #6 position for value in molecular biology this year. Set in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,070. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $20,750. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $46,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cedarville University landed the #7 spot for molecular biology value this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. Set against $22,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago placed #8 among the best values for molecular biology. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Kenyon College earned the #9 position for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,520. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $37,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #10 for value in molecular biology this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $23,000. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $22,390. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
