[General Genetics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/genetics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general genetics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for general genetics students.
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Finding the Best Value General Genetics School for You
Where you study general genetics affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value General Genetics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Genetics Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of California Irvine earned the #1 spot for value among general genetics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the general genetics program here. General Genetics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general genetics schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the general genetics program here. General Genetics graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #3 place for general genetics. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the general genetics program here. General Genetics graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general genetics will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general genetics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $39,052. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general genetics will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. General Genetics graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general genetics degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $19,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis placed #6 among the best values for general genetics. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. General Genetics graduates carry a median of $14,293 in student loans. Early-career general genetics graduates make about $41,334. That is a strong return on a $14,293 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Washington State University placed #7 among the best values for general genetics. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the general genetics program here. General Genetics graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 for value in general genetics this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general genetics program here. Soon after graduation, general genetics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $38,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #9 for value in general genetics this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. General Genetics graduates carry a median of $22,968 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general genetics degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. That is a strong return on a $22,968 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #10 spot for general genetics value this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the general genetics program here. General Genetics graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $55,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #11 among the best values for general genetics. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general genetics program here. Soon after graduation, general genetics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #12 position for value in general genetics this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. General Genetics graduates carry a median of $21,631 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general genetics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $33,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #13 among the best values for general genetics. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $18,500. General Genetics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $31,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Michigan State University came in at #14 for value in general genetics this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $25,125. General Genetics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $26,713 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Iowa earned the #15 position for value in general genetics this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the general genetics program here. General Genetics graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Connecticut placed #16 among the best values for general genetics. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete the general genetics program here. General Genetics graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #17 spot for general genetics value this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. General Genetics graduates carry a median of $26,994 in student loans. General Genetics graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $51,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Auburn University landed the #18 spot for general genetics value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. General Genetics graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Early-career general genetics graduates make about $55,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University earned the #19 position for value in general genetics this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the general genetics program here. Early-career general genetics graduates make about $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Cornell University earned the #20 position for value in general genetics this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the general genetics program here. Early-career general genetics graduates make about $75,976. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Southern California University Of Health Sciences landed the #21 spot for general genetics value this year. Located in the suburb of Whittier, Southern California University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,390 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general genetics graduates is $20,378. Early-career general genetics graduates make about $48,442. That is a strong return on a $20,378 median debt.
General Genetics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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).
[General Genetics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/genetics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general genetics education at a price that pays off.
