by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
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 Henry Ford Community College the best value for a degree in biology studies in Michigan. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mott Community College earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,250. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $28,480. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $27,334. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #4 place for biology studies. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,125. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $26,707 early in their careers. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Oakland University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,435. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $27,497. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,836 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $20,671 early in their careers. Set against $23,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $26,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Andrews University earned the #8 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Wayne State University earned the #9 position for value in biology studies this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,788 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $21,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University placed #10 among the best values for biology studies. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,199 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $17,541. That is a strong return on a $21,199 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #11 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $19,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior State University earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. Students from in state pay about $14,890 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,429. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $47,910. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Michigan University placed #13 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,166. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $26,818. Set against $25,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Albion College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Albion College earn a median of $20,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #15 among the best values for biology studies. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $35,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Grand Valley State University placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $40,959. Set against $26,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $32,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Siena Heights University placed #18 among the best values for biology studies. Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,778. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Madonna University placed #19 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $46,127. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Kalamazoo College earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,900. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,750. Biology Studies graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $24,211 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #21 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,849. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $26,435. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Alma College landed the #22 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,552. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Alma College earn a median of $42,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Alma College admits about 57% of applicants.
Calvin College landed the #23 spot for biology studies value this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $19,682. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $29,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Adrian College placed #24 among the best values for biology studies. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College came in at #25 for value in biology studies this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Hope College earn a median of $35,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for biology studies this year:
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.