2026 Best Value Medical Scientist Schools
[Medical Scientist](/majors/health-care-professions/medical-science/medical-scientist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong medical scientist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 85 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value medical scientist schools.
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Finding the Best Value Medical Scientist School for You
The right medical scientist school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Medical Scientist Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Medical Scientist Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Medical Scientist Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in medical scientist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Medical Scientist Schools
University Of California Irvine earned the #1 spot for value among medical scientist schools in the United States. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for medical scientist graduates is $16,539. Medical Scientist 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. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical scientist, landing the #2 spot this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the medical scientist program here. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in medical scientist will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Medical Scientist graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career medical scientist graduates make about $121,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #4 place for medical scientist. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Medical Scientist graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career medical scientist graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value medical scientist schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Medical Scientist graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Medical Scientist graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #6 position for value in medical scientist this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the medical scientist program here. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #7 among the best values for medical scientist. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Medical Scientist graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Early-career medical scientist graduates make about $49,718. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Vermont came in at #8 for value in medical scientist this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the medical scientist program here. Early-career medical scientist graduates make about $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University earned the #9 position for value in medical scientist this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Medical Scientist graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Medical Scientist graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #10 for value in medical scientist this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for medical scientist graduates is $17,553. Medical Scientist graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
New York Institute Of Technology earned the #11 position for value in medical scientist this year. Located in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,560. Typical student debt for medical scientist graduates is $25,435. Early-career medical scientist graduates make about $66,337. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Emory University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value medical scientist schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Typical student debt for medical scientist graduates is $19,431. Medical Scientist graduates of Emory University earn a median of $188,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in medical scientist this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the medical scientist program here. Medical Scientist graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $212,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Brown University came in at #14 for value in medical scientist this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the medical scientist program here. Early-career medical scientist graduates make about $62,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Northwestern University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value medical scientist schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical student debt for medical scientist graduates is $16,616. Early-career medical scientist graduates make about $124,451. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Jacksonville University landed the #16 spot for medical scientist value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,150. Students borrow a median of $25,619 to complete the medical scientist program here. Early-career medical scientist graduates make about $72,608. That is a strong return on a $25,619 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University came in at #17 for value in medical scientist 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 medical scientist program here. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value medical scientist schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Medical Scientist graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Early-career medical scientist graduates make about $200,264. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for medical scientist value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the medical scientist program here. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $77,276. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Tufts University earned the #20 position for value in medical scientist this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for medical scientist graduates is $17,074. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Miami landed the #21 spot for medical scientist value this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for medical scientist graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
George Washington University came in at #22 for value in medical scientist this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for medical scientist graduates is $22,910. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Butler University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value medical scientist schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,560. Typical student debt for medical scientist graduates is $25,351. Early-career medical scientist graduates make about $68,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Case Western Reserve University landed the #24 spot for medical scientist value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the medical scientist program here. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
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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 · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
