2026 Best Value Plant Genetics Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Plant Genetics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/plant-genetics/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value plant genetics schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Plant Genetics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in plant genetics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Plant Genetics Schools
Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best value for a degree in plant genetics in the United States. 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, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Plant Genetics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant genetics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $39,052. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #2 place for plant genetics. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the plant genetics program here. Plant Genetics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $38,388 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value plant genetics schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for plant genetics graduates is $25,125. Early-career plant genetics graduates make about $26,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Other Plant Genetics Degree Levels
Explore the best-value plant genetics schools at other degree levels:
View All Plant Genetics Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.