2026 Best Value Biochemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Biochemistry](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/biochemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 117 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biochemistry schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biochemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biochemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biochemistry Schools
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among biochemistry schools in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $18,540. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $41,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for biochemistry. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $15,000. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $34,308 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for biochemistry. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #4 place for biochemistry. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $45,526. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for biochemistry. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $26,516. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. 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, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $17,750. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $40,562 early in their careers. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #7 position for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $21,999. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #8 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $21,373 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. Set against $21,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,850 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $46,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,850 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #10 for value in biochemistry this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #11 among the best values for biochemistry. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $24,125. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $32,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #12 position for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $20,948. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $51,184 early in their careers. Set against $20,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #13 among the best values for biochemistry. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $28,091. Biochemistry graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. Set against $28,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Central Michigan University landed the #15 spot for biochemistry value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $27,857. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $50,688. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $43,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $53,823. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo came in at #18 for value in biochemistry this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Set against $24,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College placed #19 among the best values for biochemistry. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $40,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #20 among the best values for biochemistry. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $30,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #21 for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $25,359. Biochemistry graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,359 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
North Park University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $27,360. Biochemistry graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Andrews University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $48,966. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Michigan State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $22,774 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $38,243 early in their careers. Set against $22,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Biochemistry Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biochemistry value ranking:
Narrow Biochemistry Schools by State
More Biochemistry Rankings
View All Biochemistry Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 117 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.
