2026 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in Tennessee
[Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong molecular biology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value molecular biology schools.
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2026 Best Value Molecular Biology Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the molecular biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Molecular Biology Schools
Leading the list is Middle Tennessee State University, our #1 best value for molecular biology in Tennessee. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $28,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in molecular biology will find it at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $14,250. Soon after graduation, molecular biology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $58,034. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Lipscomb University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in molecular biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Typical student debt for molecular biology graduates is $24,619. Molecular Biology graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $33,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
