2026 Best Value Genetics Schools in the The Plains States 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for genetics students.
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2026 Best Value Genetics Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in genetics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Genetics Schools
Our analysis ranked Missouri State University Springfield the best value for a degree in genetics in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Genetics graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #2 place for genetics. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. 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. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value genetics schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $24,463. Early-career genetics graduates make about $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value genetics schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $17,553. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Augustana College South Dakota one of the best values for genetics. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Genetics graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans. Genetics graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $50,088 early in their careers. Set against $26,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
