2027 Best Value Biophysics Schools
[Biophysics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/biophysics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biophysics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 56 schools to find the best return on investment for biophysics students.
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Finding the Best Value Biophysics School for You
The right biophysics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Biophysics 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
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Biophysics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Biophysics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biophysics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biophysics Schools
For return on investment in biophysics, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $45,066. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #2 place for biophysics. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Biophysics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $41,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biophysics will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for biophysics. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $14,920 in student loans. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $59,523. That is a strong return on a $14,920 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value biophysics schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the biophysics program here. Biophysics graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Davis earned the #6 position for value in biophysics this year. 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 biophysics graduates is $11,208. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $42,266. Set against $11,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #7 for value in biophysics this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Biophysics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $40,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #8 among the best values for biophysics. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Chicago landed the #9 spot for biophysics value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value biophysics schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the biophysics program here. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $30,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Oakland University earned the #11 position for value in biophysics this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the biophysics program here. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value biophysics schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $20,250. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $55,876. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
California Institute Of Technology landed the #13 spot for biophysics value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #14 position for value in biophysics this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the biophysics program here. Biophysics graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $48,721 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #15 spot for biophysics value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $12,000. Biophysics graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $31,225 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in biophysics this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $53,823. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #17 for value in biophysics this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,948 to complete the biophysics program here. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $51,184. That is a strong return on a $20,948 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot for biophysics value this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. Biophysics graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
East Carolina University placed #19 among the best values for biophysics. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,581 to complete the biophysics program here. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $51,931. That is a strong return on a $23,581 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #20 position for value in biophysics this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the biophysics program here. Biophysics graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $63,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Harvard University landed the #21 spot for biophysics value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $16,616. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #22 for value in biophysics this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $18,627. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $69,126. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University landed the #23 spot for biophysics value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Iowa State University earned the #24 position for value in biophysics this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,477 to complete the biophysics program here. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $54,204. Set against $19,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Stony Brook University earned the #25 position for value in biophysics this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $18,968 in student loans. Biophysics graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Set against $18,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biophysics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biophysics:
Narrow Biophysics Schools by Region
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Biophysics. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
