2027 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in the Southeast 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for molecular biology students.
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2027 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in molecular biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Molecular Biology Schools
Middle Tennessee State University tops our 2027 list of the best value molecular biology schools in the Southeast Region. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $17,000. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $28,642. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Carolina University earned it the #2 place for molecular biology. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $23,581. Molecular Biology graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #3 makes Vanderbilt University one of the best values for molecular biology. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $14,250. Molecular Biology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $58,034 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in molecular biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $47,383. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Lipscomb University one of the best values for molecular biology. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $33,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Union University landed the #6 spot for molecular biology value this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,398. Students borrow a median of $28,605 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of Union University earn a median of $68,508 early in their careers. Set against $28,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Union University admits about 60% of applicants.
Duke University landed the #7 spot for molecular biology value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value molecular biology schools. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. Students from in state pay about $45,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
