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2026 Best Value Pharmaceutical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

6 Colleges in the United States
$21,921 Avg Student Debt
$62,665 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Pharmaceutical Sciences Badge [Pharmaceutical Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/pharmacy-pharmaceutical-sciences/pharmaceutical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for pharmaceutical sciences students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Pharmaceutical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pharmaceutical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Pharmaceutical Sciences Schools

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among pharmaceutical sciences schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $91,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

2

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pharmaceutical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for pharmaceutical sciences graduates is $23,917. Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $119,267 early in their careers. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

3
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for pharmaceutical sciences. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,046 in student loans. Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $71,787 early in their careers. Set against $19,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pharmaceutical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,775 in student loans. Early-career pharmaceutical sciences graduates make about $74,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pharmaceutical sciences, landing the #5 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $94,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

6

University Of Toledo earned the #6 position for value in pharmaceutical sciences this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the pharmaceutical sciences program here. Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $72,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

7

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for pharmaceutical sciences. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career pharmaceutical sciences graduates make about $91,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #8 for value in pharmaceutical sciences this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for pharmaceutical sciences graduates is $23,530. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $103,717. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

9

The University Of Findlay earned the #9 position for value in pharmaceutical sciences this year. The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Findlay. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,164. Students borrow a median of $25,759 to complete the pharmaceutical sciences program here. Early-career pharmaceutical sciences graduates make about $84,147. Set against $25,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

10
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University came in at #10 for value in pharmaceutical sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the pharmaceutical sciences program here. Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $80,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

11

Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #11 spot for pharmaceutical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Typical student debt for pharmaceutical sciences graduates is $27,172. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $101,885. That is a strong return on a $27,172 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 12 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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