2027 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in Tennessee
[Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong molecular biology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for molecular biology students.
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2027 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in Tennessee
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 Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $28,642. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the best values for molecular biology. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the molecular biology program here. 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. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Lipscomb University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. 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. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Union University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in molecular biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $28,605. Molecular Biology graduates of Union University earn a median of $68,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,605 median debt. Union University admits about 60% 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
