2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in New Jersey

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
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2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in New Jersey
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 Union County College, our #1 best value for biology studies in New Jersey. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Students borrow a median of $8,297 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $38,168. Set against $8,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Cumberland County College, which ranked #2. Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Vineland. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $39,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #3 place for biology studies. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Peters College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $18,800 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $33,779 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kean University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,548 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $34,522. Set against $26,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Gloucester County College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $25,026. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montclair State University earned the #7 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $40,165. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Salem Community College placed #8 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,360, compared with $10,260 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Salem Community College generally make around $51,781. That is a strong return on a $17,232 median debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
New Jersey City University came in at #10 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $19,750. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $37,980. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $33,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,834. Biology Studies graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $25,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #13 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,860. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $42,492. Set against $25,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #14 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $37,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rutgers University Newark ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $60,565 early in their careers. Set against $24,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #16 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,770. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $30,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Rowan University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $33,313 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham came in at #18 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,468. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,418. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #19 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $60,565. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Drew University came in at #20 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,100. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Drew University earn a median of $24,229 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drew University admits about 68% of applicants.
Caldwell College earned the #21 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,848. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,250. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $48,400. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University placed #22 among the best values for biology studies. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,977 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Rider University earn a median of $41,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,977 median debt. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. The College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Ewing. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $25,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Bloomfield College landed the #24 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Bloomfield, Bloomfield College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Bloomfield College generally make around $37,179. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University placed #25 among the best values for biology studies. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $26,445. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biology studies this year:
More Biology Studies Rankings
View All Biology Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.