2026 Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools

[Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/cell-biology-anatomical-sciences/cell-cellular-and-molecular-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cell/cellular & molecular biology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 119 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cell/cellular & molecular biology students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology School for You
The cell/cellular & molecular biology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2026 Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cell/cellular & molecular biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for cell/cellular & molecular biology in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $17,669. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in cell/cellular & molecular biology will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value cell/cellular & molecular biology schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $34,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Merced earned it the #4 place for cell/cellular & molecular biology. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,318 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for cell/cellular & molecular biology. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #6 spot for cell/cellular & molecular biology value this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for value in cell/cellular & molecular biology this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $14,781. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $42,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #8 among the best values for cell/cellular & molecular biology. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value cell/cellular & molecular biology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for cell/cellular & molecular biology value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $19,844. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value cell/cellular & molecular biology schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $56,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value cell/cellular & molecular biology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $15,848. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $36,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Riverside placed #13 among the best values for cell/cellular & molecular biology. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $17,861. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $31,148. Set against $17,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #14 among the best values for cell/cellular & molecular biology. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $29,777 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University earned the #15 position for value in cell/cellular & molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $16,616. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $51,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #16 among the best values for cell/cellular & molecular biology. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #17 position for value in cell/cellular & molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $20,422. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $28,062 early in their careers. Set against $20,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #18 spot for cell/cellular & molecular biology value this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #19 spot for cell/cellular & molecular biology value this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $58,507. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University came in at #20 for value in cell/cellular & molecular biology this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $34,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Arizona placed #21 among the best values for cell/cellular & molecular biology. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $17,750. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $33,741 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University came in at #22 for value in cell/cellular & molecular biology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $23,529. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Central Michigan University placed #23 among the best values for cell/cellular & molecular biology. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #24 position for value in cell/cellular & molecular biology 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, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas earned the #25 position for value in cell/cellular & molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for cell/cellular & molecular biology this year:
Narrow Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.