by our College Data Analytics Team
[Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 97 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for molecular biology students.
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The right molecular biology school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Molecular Biology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Molecular Biology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in molecular biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among molecular biology schools in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $10,888. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $41,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for molecular biology. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $17,500. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value molecular biology schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for molecular biology. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $19,026. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in molecular biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $14,920 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $59,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
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University Of Wyoming landed the #6 spot for molecular biology value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $49,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Molecular Biology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $43,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #8 position for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $28,642. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Washington State University came in at #9 for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $22,500. Molecular Biology graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $46,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $40,562. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #11 spot for molecular biology value this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $32,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Brigham Young University Hawaii came in at #12 for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $41,461. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #13 spot for molecular biology value this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $31,225. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $10,051 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $34,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University placed #15 among the best values for molecular biology. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $27,000. Molecular Biology graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $41,068 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #16 position for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,304 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #17 among the best values for molecular biology. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,948 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $51,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,948 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #18 spot for molecular biology value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $37,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #19 position for value in molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Mississippi State University came in at #20 for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Molecular Biology graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $30,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
East Carolina University came in at #21 for value in molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $23,581 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. That is a strong return on a $23,581 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #22 among the best values for molecular biology. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $43,936. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas landed the #23 spot for molecular biology value this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $18,004. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $41,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,004 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #24 spot for molecular biology value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $63,355. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #25 position for value in molecular biology this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $37,003. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for molecular biology this year:
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Molecular Biology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.