by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value biotechnology schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biotechnology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cleveland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among biotechnology schools in the Southeast Region. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Gaston College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $10,915. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $39,937. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biotechnology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $17,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. That is a strong return on a $17,900 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 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, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biotechnology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the biotechnology program here. 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.
University Of Georgia ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #7 for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $22,000. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $67,965. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #8 spot for biotechnology value this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $55,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
Claflin University came in at #9 for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,046. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $32,111 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Claflin University generally make around $33,026. That is a strong return on a $32,111 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #10 position for value in biotechnology this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $23,180. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $43,030. That is a strong return on a $23,180 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
James Madison University placed #11 among the best values for biotechnology. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $20,209 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $41,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,209 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Institute Of Technology earned the #12 position for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,900. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $32,114 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.