[Genetics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong genetics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for genetics students.
The right genetics school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Genetics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Genetics 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.
Stanford University tops our 2027 list of the best value genetics schools in the United States. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Genetics graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Genetics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in genetics will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Genetics graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $65,145. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in genetics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Genetics graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career genetics graduates make about $85,029. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Davis one of the best values for genetics. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Genetics graduates carry a median of $14,293 in student loans. Genetics graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $41,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in genetics will find it at University Of Chicago, which ranked #5. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the genetics program here. Genetics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in genetics this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $20,375. Early-career genetics graduates make about $19,112. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for genetics. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $15,000. Early-career genetics graduates make about $39,052. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in genetics this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $19,026. Early-career genetics graduates make about $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah earned the #9 position for value in genetics this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the genetics program here. Early-career genetics graduates make about $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Washington State University placed #10 among the best values for genetics. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the genetics program here. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #11 position for value in genetics this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the genetics program here. Genetics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $38,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University placed #12 among the best values for genetics. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the genetics program here. Early-career genetics graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in genetics this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Genetics graduates carry a median of $21,216 in student loans. Early-career genetics graduates make about $31,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #14 spot for genetics value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Genetics graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Genetics graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #15 for value in genetics this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,968 to complete the genetics program here. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Set against $22,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value genetics schools. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Genetics graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Early-career genetics graduates make about $55,413. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
Iowa State University came in at #17 for value in genetics this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $21,631. 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #18 for value in genetics this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Genetics graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Genetics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #19 position for value in genetics this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the genetics program here. Genetics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $31,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #20 among the best values for genetics. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the genetics program here. Early-career genetics graduates make about $26,713. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Oregon ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value genetics schools. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $22,034. Genetics graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Manchester College came in at #22 for value in genetics this year. Set in the town of North Manchester, Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,135. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $25,833. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Manchester College generally make around $55,367. That is a strong return on a $25,833 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Yale University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value genetics schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the genetics program here. Genetics graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value genetics schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $22,225. Early-career genetics graduates make about $31,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for genetics. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Students borrow a median of $26,994 to complete the genetics program here. Early-career genetics graduates make about $51,693. That is a strong return on a $26,994 median debt. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Genetics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for genetics this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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).
[Genetics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong genetics education at a price that pays off.
