[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1712 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
For return on investment in biology studies, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,598. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $30,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $67,422. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,691. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $37,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,348 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $28,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $33,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,101 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $34,358. That is a strong return on a $15,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $16,536. 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. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #8 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $26,612 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $33,641. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $31,777. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,043 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $31,479 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,043 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #13 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. 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. Biology Studies graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $31,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,283 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,059 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $29,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #15 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,000. Biology Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,853. Biology Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $27,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,853 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University earned the #17 position for value in biology studies this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,411. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $24,084. Set against $17,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Dalton State College came in at #18 for value in biology studies this year. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $10,323. Biology Studies graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $30,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College landed the #19 spot for biology studies value this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,375. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $26,768. That is a strong return on a $11,375 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #20 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #21 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $19,350 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,217. That is a strong return on a $19,350 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #22 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $38,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,980 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
California State University Sacramento placed #24 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,019 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $37,192 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Miami Dade College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $34,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
This list is compiled 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 · 1712 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 868 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
