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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value biology studies schools.
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 Copiah Lincoln Community College the best value for a degree in biology studies in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Mississippi Community College earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Holmes Community College one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Mississippi Community College earned it the #5 place for biology studies. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public school located in the town of Senatobia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
Mississippi University For Women landed the #6 spot for biology studies value this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,492. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,509. Biology Studies graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $42,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,500. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $21,325 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Mississippi Valley State University landed the #8 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,692. Median earnings reach $31,919 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Alcorn State University landed the #9 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $27,607. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Delta State University landed the #10 spot for biology studies value this year. Delta State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $8,605. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $22,601 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Delta State University earn a median of $20,823 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,601 median debt. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants.
William Carey University earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $18,770. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $19,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Belhaven University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,250. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $34,181 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Belhaven University earn a median of $42,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,181 median debt. Belhaven University admits about 50% of applicants.
Mississippi State University landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $20,056. That is a strong return on a $23,313 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Tougaloo College came in at #14 for value in biology studies this year. Tougaloo College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tougaloo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,407. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $42,875 in student loans. Median earnings reach $34,724 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tougaloo College admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #15 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,213 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $24,195. That is a strong return on a $23,213 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Jackson State University earned the #16 position for value in biology studies this year. Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jackson. In-state tuition and fees average $8,965, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $25,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Millsaps College came in at #17 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Millsaps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,680 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Millsaps College generally make around $39,765. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Millsaps College admits about 43% of applicants.
Mississippi College landed the #18 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,500. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $21,400. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.