by our College Data Analytics Team
[Molecular Genetics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/molecular-genetics/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value molecular genetics schools.
What’s on this page:
The molecular genetics program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Molecular Genetics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Molecular 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.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the molecular genetics degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value molecular genetics schools in the United States. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the molecular genetics program here. Early-career molecular genetics graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for molecular genetics. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,216 to complete the molecular genetics program here. Molecular Genetics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan State University earned it the #3 place for molecular genetics. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular genetics graduates is $25,125. Early-career molecular genetics graduates make about $26,713. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Students looking for strong value in molecular genetics will find it at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #4. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Molecular Genetics graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Molecular Genetics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in molecular genetics, landing the #5 spot this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for molecular genetics graduates is $17,553. Early-career molecular genetics graduates make about $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
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Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value molecular genetics schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $26,217 to complete the molecular genetics program here. Early-career molecular genetics graduates make about $20,373. That is a strong return on a $26,217 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #7 among the best values for molecular genetics. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the molecular genetics program here. Early-career molecular genetics graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Duke University earned the #8 position for value in molecular genetics this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for molecular genetics graduates is $13,296. Early-career molecular genetics graduates make about $62,465. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Molecular Genetics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.