2026 Best Value Molecular Biology Master’s Degree Schools

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for molecular biology in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $41,848. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

2

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #2 place for molecular biology. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #3 place for molecular biology. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in molecular biology will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $14,920 in student loans. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $59,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,920 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for strong value in molecular biology will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $38,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

6

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value molecular biology schools. Set in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $10,051 in student loans. Molecular Biology graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earn a median of $34,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for molecular biology value 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, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,948 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

8

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center came in at #8 for value in molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,514 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $24,889. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center generally make around $66,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #9 for value in molecular biology this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $42,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

10

Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University came in at #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $23,250. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $32,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.

11

Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University earned the #11 position for value in molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $43,722. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.

12

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #12 position for value in molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $3,750. Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $34,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

13

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University placed #13 among the best values for molecular biology. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $59,887. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.

14

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University earned the #14 position for value in molecular biology this year. 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. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $28,838. Molecular Biology graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

15

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University came in at #15 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $23,000. Early-career molecular biology graduates make about $74,459. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.