2026 Best Value Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Biochemistry & Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biochemistry & molecular biology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biochemistry & molecular biology schools.
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2026 Best Value Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biochemistry & molecular biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Schools
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among biochemistry & molecular biology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $18,540 to complete the biochemistry & molecular biology program here. Early-career biochemistry & molecular biology graduates make about $41,625. That is a strong return on a $18,540 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for biochemistry & molecular biology. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry & molecular biology graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the best values for biochemistry & molecular biology. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for biochemistry & molecular biology graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, biochemistry & molecular biology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $45,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan Technological University earned it the #4 place for biochemistry & molecular biology. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry & molecular biology degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Central Michigan University one of the best values for biochemistry & molecular biology. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for biochemistry & molecular biology graduates is $27,857. Soon after graduation, biochemistry & molecular biology degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Michigan State University earned the #6 position for value in biochemistry & molecular biology this year. 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. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $22,774 in student loans. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $38,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in biochemistry & molecular biology 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. Typical student debt for biochemistry & molecular biology graduates is $19,000. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $48,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Wooster placed #8 among the best values for biochemistry & molecular biology. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,640. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $26,751 in student loans. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of Wooster admits about 60% of applicants.
Lake Forest College came in at #9 for value in biochemistry & molecular biology this year. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry & molecular biology degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. Set against $26,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Marquette University landed the #10 spot for biochemistry & molecular biology value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $60,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry & molecular biology schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $38,487 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry & molecular biology schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Typical student debt for biochemistry & molecular biology graduates is $23,000. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $22,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.