2026 Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/cell-biology-anatomical-sciences/cell-cellular-and-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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cell/cellular & molecular biology students.
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2026 Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cell/cellular & molecular biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for cell/cellular & molecular biology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $34,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value cell/cellular & molecular biology schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $10,750. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $24,352. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cell/cellular & molecular biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Rowan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cell/cellular & molecular biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cell/cellular & molecular biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $20,721. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best values for cell/cellular & molecular biology. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $75,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Barnard College earned the #7 position for value in cell/cellular & molecular biology this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $17,609. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $50,790. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
