2026 Best Value Physiology & Pathology Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Physiology & Pathology Sciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/physiology-and-pathology-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physiology & pathology sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools to find the best return on investment for physiology & pathology sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physiology & Pathology Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physiology & pathology sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physiology & Pathology Sciences Schools
Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value physiology & pathology sciences schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for physiology & pathology sciences. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $22,398. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Augustana College Illinois earned it the #3 place for physiology & pathology sciences. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Students borrow a median of $26,764 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $39,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physiology & pathology sciences will find it at University Of Akron Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physiology & pathology sciences degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wright State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for physiology & pathology sciences. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #6 spot for physiology & pathology sciences value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for physiology & pathology sciences graduates is $24,518. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $47,863. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #7 position for value in physiology & pathology sciences this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physiology & pathology sciences graduates is $21,813. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in physiology & pathology sciences 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. Typical student debt for physiology & pathology sciences graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, physiology & pathology sciences degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $93,164. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #9 among the best values for physiology & pathology sciences. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $46,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Toledo landed the #10 spot for physiology & pathology sciences value this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physiology & pathology sciences degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #11 for value in physiology & pathology sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $47,887. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois College came in at #12 for value in physiology & pathology sciences this year. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,922 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $41,184. That is a strong return on a $26,922 median debt. Illinois College admits about 78% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physiology & pathology sciences schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for physiology & pathology sciences graduates is $26,786. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $36,886. That is a strong return on a $26,786 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #14 among the best values for physiology & pathology sciences. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,384 in student loans. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $29,642. Set against $23,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Hiram College came in at #15 for value in physiology & pathology sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Hiram, Hiram College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,397. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,144 in student loans. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates of Hiram College earn a median of $48,572 early in their careers. Set against $27,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hiram College admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #16 for value in physiology & pathology sciences this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Physiology & Pathology Sciences 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. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Valparaiso University placed #17 among the best values for physiology & pathology sciences. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,724 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physiology & pathology sciences degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $51,987. That is a strong return on a $26,724 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ashland University landed the #18 spot for physiology & pathology sciences value this year. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,210. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $31,192. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Benedictine University earned the #19 position for value in physiology & pathology sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,648. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,338 in student loans. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $54,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value physiology & pathology sciences schools. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,352 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physiology & pathology sciences graduates is $24,613. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $52,449. That is a strong return on a $24,613 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Taylor University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physiology & pathology sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Typical student debt for physiology & pathology sciences graduates is $22,786. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $30,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physiology & pathology sciences schools. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Typical student debt for physiology & pathology sciences graduates is $26,904. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $52,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Alma College came in at #23 for value in physiology & pathology sciences this year. Alma College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alma. In-state tuition and fees average $49,552. Typical student debt for physiology & pathology sciences graduates is $27,248. Soon after graduation, physiology & pathology sciences degree recipients from Alma College generally make around $42,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #24 spot for physiology & pathology sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $43,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Concordia University Wisconsin placed #25 among the best values for physiology & pathology sciences. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Physiology & Pathology Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physiology & pathology sciences:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.