by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 182 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value biology studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Mission College the best value for a degree in biology studies in the United States. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,223. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $7,611. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $29,852. Set against $7,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $15,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Skyline College landed the #6 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Long Beach City College earned the #7 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #8 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College landed the #9 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Utah Valley University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete the biology studies program here. 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 placed #11 among the best values for biology studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $6,602 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $28,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College came in at #12 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. 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.
College Of The Canyons earned the #14 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Canada College placed #15 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,000. Biology Studies graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford landed the #16 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
De Anza College placed #18 among the best values for biology studies. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
West Valley College placed #19 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College placed #20 among the best values for biology studies. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College earned the #21 position for value in biology studies this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $9,191. Biology Studies graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Yuba College placed #24 among the best values for biology studies. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College placed #25 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biology studies value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Biology Studies rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 182 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 182 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.