by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 44 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 Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in biology studies in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $48,427. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Bunker Hill Community College one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $6,239. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $44,682. Set against $6,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,625. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $44,450. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #5 place for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holyoke Community College earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $5,300. Biology Studies graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. Set against $5,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salem State University landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $45,670. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Fitchburg State University earned the #8 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,250. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $14,125. Biology Studies graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $46,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #10 spot for biology studies value this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,747 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $59,580 early in their careers. Set against $26,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Framingham State University came in at #11 for value in biology studies this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Students borrow a median of $24,999 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $42,472 early in their careers. Set against $24,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Biology Studies graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $44,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Bay Path College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $40,964. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.
Westfield State University came in at #14 for value in biology studies this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #15 for value in biology studies this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $74,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College landed the #16 spot for biology studies value this year. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,454 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #17 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $42,721. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,516. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms came in at #19 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,325. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Biology Studies graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $44,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #20 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,427. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #21 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,204. Set against $26,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Amherst College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $59,271. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Boston University earn a median of $40,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wellesley College came in at #24 for value in biology studies this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $10,159 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $36,621 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,159 median debt. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Simmons College landed the #25 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. Students borrow a median of $26,740 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $63,860. That is a strong return on a $26,740 median debt. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biology studies value ranking:
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.