by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 79 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Holy Family University tops our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $28,500. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $44,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Philadelphia earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $16,059 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,219. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,025. That is a strong return on a $15,219 median debt.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $31,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,250. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $35,960. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford landed the #6 spot for biology studies value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bradford. In-state tuition and fees average $14,770, compared with $26,644 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,576. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford admits about 88% of applicants.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #7 position for value in biology studies this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,867. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,382. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for biology studies. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Biology Studies graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $31,928 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $43,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. Students from in state pay about $15,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,000. Biology Studies graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earn a median of $33,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,584. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,000. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earn a median of $33,576 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg admits about 95% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,912 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $37,110. Set against $26,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $33,576. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $35,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,219. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,443. That is a strong return on a $25,219 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Lycoming College placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Williamsport. Students from in state pay about $49,804 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,837 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Lycoming College generally make around $32,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,206. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College earned the #18 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,770. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Mercyhurst College generally make around $29,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyney, Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,904, compared with $18,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,128.
La Salle University earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,625. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $30,626. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Westminster College Pa landed the #21 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the rural area of New Wilmington, Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,290. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot for biology studies value this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $38,990. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Carlow University earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Carlow University earn a median of $36,211 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,863. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Albright College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,082. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Albright College generally make around $31,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for biology studies this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.