2026 Best Value Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Schools in Iowa
[Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Schools
For return on investment in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology, no school beat Grinnell College this year. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,196 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates is $16,549. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,598. Set against $16,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #2 place for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $19,477 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $43,520. Set against $19,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology will find it at University Of Iowa, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates is $21,626. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,991. Set against $21,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #4 makes Grand View University one of the best values for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Typical student debt for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates is $26,941. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $45,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Wartburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,250. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,793 median debt. Wartburg College admits about 76% of applicants.
Cornell College placed #6 among the best values for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Early-career biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates make about $39,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell College admits about 80% of applicants.
Drake University came in at #7 for value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
More Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Rankings
View All Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
