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
Leading the list is North Central State College, our #1 best value for biotechnology in the United States. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $12,236. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #2 place for biotechnology. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Erie Community College one of the best values for biotechnology. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in biotechnology will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Biotechnology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value biotechnology schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 246 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
[Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
