2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Washington
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biology studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Leading the list is South Puget Sound Community College, our #1 best value for biology studies in Washington. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $5,818. Students borrow a median of $14,245 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of South Puget Sound Community College earn a median of $39,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,432. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $43,768. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,223 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $38,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Tacoma Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,507, with out-of-state students paying around $11,646. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $14,822 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,732. That is a strong return on a $14,822 median debt.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,154. Biology Studies graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highline Community College placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $8,958. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. Set against $8,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cascadia Community College placed #7 among the best values for biology studies. Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,296. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $7,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Heritage University placed #8 among the best values for biology studies. Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Toppenish. Students from in state pay about $20,928 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,148 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Heritage University earn a median of $67,426 early in their careers. Set against $19,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Washington University came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,666. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,793. Set against $21,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #10 for value in biology studies this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,223 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $38,716. Set against $14,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Edmonds Community College landed the #11 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,810, with out-of-state students paying around $10,875. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $16,025 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Edmonds Community College earn a median of $35,618 early in their careers. Set against $16,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State University earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Western Washington University placed #13 among the best values for biology studies. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,003. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,871. That is a strong return on a $17,003 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University placed #14 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,790 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,401. That is a strong return on a $25,790 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific Lutheran University landed the #15 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,916. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,626. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,766. Set against $22,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Walla Walla University came in at #16 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,227. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,635. Biology Studies graduates of Walla Walla University earn a median of $56,616 early in their careers. Set against $27,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Martins University came in at #17 for value in biology studies this year. Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lacey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,510. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Saint Martins University generally make around $32,034. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Martins University admits about 90% of applicants.
Whitworth University landed the #18 spot for biology studies value this year. Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,500. Biology Studies graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $29,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Whitworth University admits about 90% of applicants.
Seattle University came in at #19 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $22,417 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $37,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Whitman College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,050. Students borrow a median of $18,080 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $28,538 early in their careers. Set against $18,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.
Gonzaga University earned the #21 position for value in biology studies this year. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,496 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of $30,819 early in their careers. Set against $26,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puget Sound ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,898. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,654 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $30,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puget Sound admits about 72% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
