ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

4 Colleges in the United States
$22,178 Avg Student Debt
$66,667 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Molecular Biology Badge [Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/) 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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for molecular biology students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 26.02), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Biotechnology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Biotechnology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

2026 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in molecular biology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Molecular Biology Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for molecular biology in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $40,562. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in molecular biology will find it at University Of Michigan Flint, which ranked #2. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the molecular biology program here. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $32,221. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for molecular biology. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,948 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $51,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned it the #4 place for molecular biology. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $43,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire one of the best values for molecular biology. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $22,574. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

ADBLOCK #101
6
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Depauw University landed the #6 spot for molecular biology value this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Depauw University generally make around $46,127. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

7

Eastern Michigan University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $25,359. Molecular Biology graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Set against $25,359 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

8
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University earned the #8 position for value in molecular biology this year. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. Set against $22,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.

9
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College placed #9 among the best values for molecular biology. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,520. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $18,114. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $37,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

10

Loyola University Chicago placed #10 among the best values for molecular biology. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $25,000. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Case Western Reserve University came in at #11 for value in molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the molecular biology program here. Molecular Biology graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $22,390 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.

Narrow Molecular Biology Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Molecular Biology Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 16 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options