2026 Best Value Genetics Schools in the Far Western Region

[Genetics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong genetics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for genetics students.
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2026 Best Value Genetics Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in genetics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Genetics Schools
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for genetics in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for genetics. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Genetics graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in genetics, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the genetics program here. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in genetics will find it at Washington State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $21,903. 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.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Davis one of the best values for 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, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $14,293. Genetics graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $41,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Oregon came in at #6 for value in genetics this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $22,034. Genetics graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southern California University Of Health Sciences earned the #7 position for value in genetics this year. Located in the suburb of Whittier, Southern California University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,390. Genetics graduates carry a median of $20,378 in student loans. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Southern California University Of Health Sciences generally make around $48,442. That is a strong return on a $20,378 median debt.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.