2026 Best Value Biochemistry Schools in Pennsylvania

[Biochemistry](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/biochemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biochemistry students.
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2026 Best Value Biochemistry Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biochemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biochemistry Schools
Our analysis ranked Swarthmore College the best value for a degree in biochemistry in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $66,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Westminster College Pa one of the best values for biochemistry. Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,290. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of Westminster College Pa earn a median of $41,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,528 median debt. Westminster College Pa admits about 93% of applicants.
Allegheny College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,550. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $26,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Allegheny College generally make around $34,175. That is a strong return on a $26,962 median debt. Allegheny College admits about 55% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biochemistry will find it at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks, which ranked #4. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Reading. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biochemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $48,957. That is a strong return on a $26,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Temple University landed the #6 spot for biochemistry value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $25,500. Biochemistry graduates of Temple University earn a median of $45,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,558 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $33,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Ursinus College placed #8 among the best values for biochemistry. Located in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,061. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $40,294. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $99,682. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Scranton landed the #10 spot for biochemistry value this year. University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $56,861. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College placed #11 among the best values for biochemistry. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $16,931. Biochemistry graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $59,513 early in their careers. Set against $16,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for biochemistry value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lehigh University placed #13 among the best values for biochemistry. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Students borrow a median of $20,710 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. That is a strong return on a $20,710 median debt. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University earned the #14 position for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $54,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saint Josephs University came in at #15 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,260. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $44,442 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Drexel University placed #16 among the best values for biochemistry. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $67,556. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin And Marshall College landed the #17 spot for biochemistry value this year. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $70,794 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $20,411. Biochemistry graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,411 median debt. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Bucknell University landed the #18 spot for biochemistry value this year. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $25,951. Biochemistry graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $64,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,951 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University came in at #19 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,601. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.