2026 Best Value Biotechnology Master’s Degree Schools
[Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biotechnology education at a price that pays off.
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
Our analysis ranked California State University Channel Islands the best value for a degree in biotechnology in the United States. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $16,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $88,886. That is a strong return on a $16,997 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #2 place for biotechnology. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #3 place for biotechnology. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $21,829. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
California State University San Marcos came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $49,615. 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 placed #6 among the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $24,211. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $54,611. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #7 spot for biotechnology value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kean University landed the #8 spot for biotechnology value this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $36,992. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #10 position for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester landed the #11 spot for biotechnology value this year. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public school located in the city of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $15,838, compared with $36,418 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $27,000. Biotechnology graduates of University Of New Hampshire At Manchester earn a median of $50,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce came in at #12 for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Ponce, Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,650 in tuition and fees. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $13,779 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earn a median of $18,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,779 median debt. Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 98% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. 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 landed the #14 spot for biotechnology value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Maryland University College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $89,105. That is a strong return on a $23,276 median debt.
Harvard University placed #16 among the best values for biotechnology. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #17 among the best values for biotechnology. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $21,861. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earned the #18 position for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,400. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $28,375. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $35,098. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #19 spot for biotechnology value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $21,813. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $78,060. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #20 among the best values for biotechnology. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $86,906. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #21 position for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $20,531. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $86,279. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University landed the #23 spot for biotechnology value this year. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $25,872. Biotechnology graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $49,006 early in their careers. 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 earned the #24 position for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. Set against $25,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #25 spot for biotechnology value this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $26,162. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $55,413. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
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
Explore the best-value biotechnology schools at other degree levels:
View All Biotechnology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 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.
