2026 Best Value General Genetics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general genetics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Genetics Schools
University Of California Irvine tops our 2026 list of the best value general genetics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $16,539. General Genetics 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. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for general genetics. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Genetics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general genetics graduates make about $39,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Students looking for strong value in general genetics will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $20,375. Soon after graduation, general genetics degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $19,112. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Students looking for strong value in general genetics will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. General Genetics graduates carry a median of $14,293 in student loans. Early-career general genetics graduates make about $41,334. That is a strong return on a $14,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Washington State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general genetics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $21,903. General Genetics graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #6 among the best values for general genetics. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, general genetics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $38,388. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #7 among the best values for general genetics. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,968 to complete the general genetics program here. Early-career general genetics graduates make about $59,622. That is a strong return on a $22,968 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #8 among the best values for general genetics. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $26,162. General Genetics graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $55,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
Iowa State University landed the #9 spot for general genetics value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. General Genetics graduates carry a median of $21,631 in student loans. General Genetics graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $33,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,631 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #10 among the best values for general genetics. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $18,500. Early-career general genetics graduates make about $31,519. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #11 position for value in general genetics this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the general genetics program here. Soon after graduation, general genetics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $26,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general genetics schools. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $26,994. Early-career general genetics graduates make about $51,693. That is a strong return on a $26,994 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University landed the #13 spot for general genetics value this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the general genetics program here. Soon after graduation, general genetics degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Other General Genetics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Genetics rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
[General Genetics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/genetics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
