2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
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2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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 Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for biology studies in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $38,427. Set against $19,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $11,211 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $24,557. Set against $11,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Community College Of Aurora one of the best values for biology studies. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,365. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,587. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $10,855. Biology Studies graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,993 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,963.
Community College Of Denver came in at #8 for value in biology studies this year. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Students borrow a median of $18,830 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $45,202. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.
Southern Utah University placed #9 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $44,998. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #10 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,829 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $38,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $34,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $27,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $33,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Adams State College placed #14 among the best values for biology studies. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,824, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,523 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $48,101 early in their careers. Set against $25,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University came in at #15 for value in biology studies this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $29,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Idaho landed the #16 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $39,368. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $29,587. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $41,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #18 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College came in at #19 for value in biology studies this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,774. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $32,565. Set against $27,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #20 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Students borrow a median of $23,425 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $32,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,697. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $35,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis Clark State College came in at #22 for value in biology studies this year. Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lewiston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $44,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #23 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,289 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana generally make around $68,773. Set against $23,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana admits about 91% of applicants.
Western State College Of Colorado came in at #24 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,973 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $29,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Montana earned the #25 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,718. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $43,914. That is a strong return on a $26,718 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
