2026 Best Value Biotechnology Master’s Degree Schools
[Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/biotechnology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 246 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biotechnology students.
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2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biotechnology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biotechnology Schools
For return on investment in biotechnology, no school beat California State University Channel Islands this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $16,997. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $88,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for biotechnology. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biotechnology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #4 place for biotechnology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in biotechnology will find it at California State University San Marcos, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas Womans University landed the #6 spot for biotechnology value this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Kean University earned the #8 position for value in biotechnology this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #9 for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $36,992. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #10 position for value in biotechnology this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $23,312. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester earned the #11 position for value in biotechnology this year. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public school located in the city of Manchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,838, with out-of-state students paying around $36,418. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of University Of New Hampshire At Manchester earn a median of $50,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Located in the city of Ponce, Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,650 in tuition and fees. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $13,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce generally make around $18,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #13 position for value in biotechnology this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #14 position for value in biotechnology this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $20,542. Biotechnology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #15 for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $23,276. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $89,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harvard University landed the #16 spot for biotechnology value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Arizona placed #17 among the best values for biotechnology. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology placed #18 among the best values for biotechnology. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $24,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,375 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology generally make around $35,098. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #19 for value in biotechnology 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, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $78,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #20 among the best values for biotechnology. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $86,906. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #21 for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $86,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Framingham State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $25,872. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $49,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #24 among the best values for biotechnology. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $25,644. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #25 position for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $55,413. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Biotechnology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biotechnology value ranking:
Other Biotechnology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Biotechnology rankings across degree levels:
View All Biotechnology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 246 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
