2027 Best Value Biology Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 174 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for biology studies in the United States. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $52,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,525. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $67,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #4. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,283. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $31,381. That is a strong return on a $15,283 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,853 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $55,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 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. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $49,839. That is a strong return on a $15,059 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #7 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,950. Biology Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,841 early in their careers. Set against $13,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #8 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,019 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $59,935. Set against $15,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University East Bay ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $44,370. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Long Beach placed #10 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $35,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,526. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Francisco State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $36,259. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $35,334. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #14 for value in biology studies this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,537. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $37,739. Set against $17,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Florida International University placed #15 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $21,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #16 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,667 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $44,139 early in their careers. Set against $17,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #17 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,517. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $40,916. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Stanford University placed #18 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #19 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,964. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
San Jose State University came in at #20 for value in biology studies this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #21 for value in biology studies this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $19,167. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
The University Of West Florida landed the #22 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University landed the #23 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,435. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,497. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos came in at #24 for value in biology studies this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,174. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $38,527. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #25 for value in biology studies this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,900 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $36,371 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,900 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biology studies this year:
Other Biology Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Biology Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Biology Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 174 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 174 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.
