[Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biotechnology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 89 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biotechnology students.
Finding the Best Value Biotechnology School for You
The biotechnology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Biotechnology 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Biotechnology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Cuny City College tops our 2027 list of the best value biotechnology schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Utah Valley University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $52,118 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biotechnology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Cleveland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biotechnology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #5 place for biotechnology. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $15,732. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $51,087. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Gaston College came in at #7 for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #8 position for value in biotechnology this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Erie Community College came in at #9 for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Channel Islands earned the #10 position for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $16,997. Biotechnology graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $88,886 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #11 position for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $11,889. Biotechnology graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #12 position for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $38,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $18,500. Biotechnology graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $60,697 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #14 for value in biotechnology this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester landed the #15 spot for biotechnology value this year. Located in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,838, while out-of-state students pay about $36,418. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $50,276. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester admits about 81% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos placed #16 among the best values for biotechnology. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $18,500. Biotechnology graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Stanford University landed the #17 spot for biotechnology value this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Berkeley placed #18 among the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Portland Community College placed #19 among the best values for biotechnology. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $20,648. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $49,580. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University placed #20 among the best values for biotechnology. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $23,312. Biotechnology graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #22 position for value in biotechnology this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #23 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $25,498. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $36,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #24 among the best values for biotechnology. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $46,298 early in their careers. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas earned the #25 position for value in biotechnology this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Barranquitas. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $4,217 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $12,170. That is a strong return on a $4,217 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biotechnology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biotechnology this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 89 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).
[Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biotechnology education at a price that pays off.
