2026 Best Value Molecular Biology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

For return on investment in molecular biology, no school beat Princeton University this year. 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. Molecular Biology graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $41,848 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in molecular biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place for molecular biology. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

4

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

Students looking for strong value in molecular biology will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $19,026. Molecular Biology graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $14,920 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $35,210 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

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. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 97%.

7

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #7 for value in molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $43,333. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

8

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #8 for value in molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $28,642. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #9 for value in molecular biology this year. 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 molecular biology graduates is $17,750. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $26,151. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

10

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University came in at #10 for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $46,514 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $24,125. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $32,221. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

12

Brigham Young University Hawaii
Laie, HI

Brigham Young University Hawaii placed #12 among the best values for molecular biology. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Laie. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Hawaii generally make around $41,461. The acceptance rate is 47%.

13

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo came in at #13 for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $31,225 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #14 spot for molecular biology value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. 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 $44,074 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,948 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

15

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University came in at #15 for value in molecular biology this year. 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, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $41,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

16

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas placed #16 among the best values for molecular biology. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $23,304 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $49,157. Set against $23,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

17

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #17 among the best values for molecular biology. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $37,830. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

18

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #18 among the best values for molecular biology. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $22,574. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

19

Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University earned the #19 position for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $30,565 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

20

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University came in at #20 for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. 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. Molecular Biology graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. Set against $23,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #21 among the best values for molecular biology. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $24,225. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $43,936. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

22

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $18,004. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $41,487. Set against $18,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

23

Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University earned the #23 position for value in molecular biology this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $41,790. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.

24

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #24 position for value in molecular biology this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $30,207. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.

25

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #25 position for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Molecular Biology graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $63,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.