2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in South Carolina

[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
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2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
University Of South Carolina Aiken tops our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools in South Carolina. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,760, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $32,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Francis Marion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $28,952. Biology Studies graduates of Francis Marion University earn a median of $27,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,952 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,585. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $31,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of South Carolina Beaufort one of the best values for biology studies. University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bluffton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $32,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $31,174 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Allen University came in at #7 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Allen University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,304 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $40,361 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Allen University generally make around $23,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Allen University admits about 72% of applicants.
Lander University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,250. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $32,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
Erskine College And Seminary landed the #9 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Due West, Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Erskine College And Seminary generally make around $35,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Erskine College And Seminary admits about 63% of applicants.
Columbia College South Carolina landed the #10 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,054 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,600 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Columbia College South Carolina earn a median of $48,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Claflin University came in at #11 for value in biology studies this year. Claflin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orangeburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,046. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $29,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Claflin University generally make around $25,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Wofford College placed #12 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,005. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Wofford College generally make around $24,287. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
College Of Charleston came in at #13 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,538. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Benedict College came in at #14 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,748. Students borrow a median of $35,031 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Benedict College earn a median of $22,805 early in their careers. Set against $35,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
South Carolina State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,060, compared with $21,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from South Carolina State University generally make around $25,938. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Presbyterian College came in at #16 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Presbyterian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,910. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,799 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,034. That is a strong return on a $24,799 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Coker College earned the #17 position for value in biology studies this year. Coker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hartsville. In-state tuition and fees average $33,416. Students borrow a median of $29,362 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Coker College earn a median of $36,113 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #18 position for value in biology studies this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants.
North Greenville University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,800. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,128. Biology Studies graduates of North Greenville University earn a median of $42,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Greenville University admits about 67% of applicants.
Newberry College earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,100. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,694. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University came in at #21 for value in biology studies this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,250. Biology Studies graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $45,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,520. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $28,979. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $29,891. That is a strong return on a $28,979 median debt. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,620. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $32,571. That is a strong return on a $24,620 median debt. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Converse College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Spartanburg, Converse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,240. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Converse College generally make around $38,940. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. Converse College admits about 68% of applicants.
Anderson University Sc ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. Students from in state pay about $34,970 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $28,034 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Anderson University Sc earn a median of $49,036 early in their careers. Set against $28,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Anderson University Sc admits about 55% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
More Biology Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.