[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1259 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
Finding the Best Value Biology Studies School for You
The right biology studies school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Biology Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Biology Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in biology studies, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,691. Biology Studies graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $37,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $30,257. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Mission College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the biology studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for biology studies. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $43,075. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $67,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny City College earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,348. Biology Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $28,324 early in their careers. Set against $12,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Moorpark College landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo placed #8 among the best values for biology studies. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $7,611 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #10 position for value in biology studies this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,283 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $31,381. Set against $15,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $6,500. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $15,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College placed #12 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #13 position for value in biology studies this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $26,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Florida came in at #14 for value in biology studies this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,536 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $24,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Long Beach City College landed the #15 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Folsom Lake College landed the #17 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
California State University Stanislaus placed #18 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,101 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $34,358 early in their careers. Set against $15,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #19 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $31,777. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College placed #20 among the best values for biology studies. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $33,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Utah Valley University placed #21 among the best values for biology studies. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $38,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $6,602. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,791. Set against $6,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,059 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,673. That is a strong return on a $15,059 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Antelope Valley College came in at #24 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College landed the #25 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the biology studies program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biology studies value ranking:
Biology Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 1259 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,259 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).
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
