2026 Best Value Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Neurobiology & Neurosciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/neurobiology-and-neurosciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for neurobiology & neurosciences students.
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2026 Best Value Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in neurobiology & neurosciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best value for a degree in neurobiology & neurosciences in the Great Lakes Region. 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, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,177 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $37,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,177 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for neurobiology & neurosciences. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $17,562. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $26,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in neurobiology & neurosciences will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $15,012 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $30,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,012 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $18,268. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $23,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $26,516. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #6 position for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $22,945. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $25,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #7 position for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $26,689. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $55,469. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $31,687. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #9 position for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University landed the #10 spot for neurobiology & neurosciences value this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Central Michigan University came in at #11 for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $28,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Chicago placed #12 among the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $37,246 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #13 among the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $26,657. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $46,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #14 among the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $24,946 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $32,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $22,286. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $29,638. That is a strong return on a $22,286 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,768 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. That is a strong return on a $26,768 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #18 position for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Michigan State University landed the #19 spot for neurobiology & neurosciences value this year. 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. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $25,020 in student loans. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $27,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $33,094. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Carthage College placed #21 among the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from Carthage College generally make around $29,454. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Carthage College admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University landed the #22 spot for neurobiology & neurosciences value this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $16,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $35,334. Set against $16,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College came in at #23 for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of Hope College earn a median of $39,644 early in their careers. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster placed #24 among the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,640. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $29,942 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of Wooster admits about 60% of applicants.
Lake Forest College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $41,168. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in neurobiology & neurosciences:
Narrow Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools by State
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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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
