[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 294 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in biology studies in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $16,536 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $24,713. Set against $16,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Miami Dade College one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $34,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,100 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $33,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,100 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #4. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $16,536. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $24,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dalton State College earned it the #5 place for biology studies. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $10,323. Biology Studies graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $30,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,323 median debt.
Indian River State College earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $10,400. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #7 position for value in biology studies this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,537 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $32,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,950. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $38,970. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $19,528. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria generally make around $47,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #11 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
University Of North Florida earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #13 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $21,529. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #14 spot for biology studies value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $30,041. Set against $21,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Berea College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $5,801. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $26,744. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,517. Biology Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,916 early in their careers. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #17 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida came in at #18 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,237 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Christian Brothers University placed #19 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Holmes Community College placed #20 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $32,145. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Copiah Lincoln Community College came in at #21 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Marshall University placed #22 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,206. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $19,955. That is a strong return on a $25,206 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $24,475 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $25,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia landed the #24 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $31,007. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Itawamba Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biology studies value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 294 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 294 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).