2026 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in the Southwest Region
[Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/) 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for molecular biology students.
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2026 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in molecular biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Molecular Biology Schools
New Mexico State University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value molecular biology schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #2 place for molecular biology. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Molecular Biology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $43,333 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for molecular biology. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $23,304 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $23,304 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Dallas earned it the #4 place for molecular biology. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $30,207 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
