2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biotechnology schools.
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2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biotechnology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biotechnology Schools
Our analysis ranked Cleveland Community College the best value for a degree in biotechnology in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in biotechnology will find it at Gaston College, which ranked #2. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #4 place for biotechnology. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $36,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #6 for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $22,000. Biotechnology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $67,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky came in at #7 for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,180 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $43,030. Set against $23,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #8 spot for biotechnology value this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. 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. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
James Madison University placed #9 among the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $20,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $41,832. Set against $20,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Auburn University earned the #10 position for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $22,803. Biotechnology graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Set against $22,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #11 spot for biotechnology value this year. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $32,114. Biotechnology graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.
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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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
