ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Genetics Bachelor’s Degree Schools

16 Colleges in the United States
$21,659 Avg Student Debt
$69,021 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Genetics Bachelor's Degree Badge [Genetics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong genetics education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 104 schools to find the best return on investment for genetics students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 2
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 26.08), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

2026 Best Value Genetics Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the genetics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Genetics Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of California Irvine the best value for a degree in genetics in the United States. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Genetics graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Genetics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in genetics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $39,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #3 place for genetics. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Genetics graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $19,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #4 place for genetics. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,293 to complete the genetics program here. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $41,334. Set against $14,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washington State University earned it the #5 place for genetics. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Genetics graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Early-career genetics graduates make about $54,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #101
6

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #6 spot for genetics value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the genetics program here. Early-career genetics graduates make about $38,388. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

7

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #7 for value in genetics this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,968 to complete the genetics program here. Genetics graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Set against $22,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

8

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in genetics this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Genetics graduates carry a median of $21,216 in student loans. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $31,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

9

University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #9 among the best values for genetics. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Genetics graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Early-career genetics graduates make about $55,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

10

Iowa State University earned the #10 position for value in 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. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $21,631. Genetics graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $33,330 early in their careers. Set against $21,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #11 for value in genetics this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Genetics graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career genetics graduates make about $31,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

12
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #12 position for value in genetics this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the genetics program here. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $26,713. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

13
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value genetics schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Genetics graduates carry a median of $22,225 in student loans. Early-career genetics graduates make about $31,346. Set against $22,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in genetics 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. Genetics graduates carry a median of $26,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $51,693. That is a strong return on a $26,994 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #15 for value in genetics this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $26,217. Early-career genetics graduates make about $20,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #145
16
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #16 position for value in genetics this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $22,803. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.

17
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #17 for value in genetics this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the genetics program here. Early-career genetics graduates make about $54,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

Other Genetics Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Genetics rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Genetics
Associate's Degrees in Genetics
Master's Degrees in Genetics
ADBLOCK #173
View All Genetics Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 104 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options