2027 Best Value Genetics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[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 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for genetics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Genetics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the genetics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Genetics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in genetics in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $19,137. Genetics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $85,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in genetics will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #2. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the genetics program here. Soon after graduation, 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%.
University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value genetics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Genetics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in genetics will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $21,216 to complete the genetics program here. Genetics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in genetics will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $38,388. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Manchester College landed the #6 spot for genetics value this year. Set in the town of North Manchester, Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,135. Students borrow a median of $25,833 to complete the genetics program here. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Manchester College generally make around $55,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University earned the #7 position for value in genetics this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $25,125. Genetics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $26,713 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in genetics this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the genetics program here. Genetics graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Narrow Genetics Schools by State
View All Genetics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.