2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Tennessee
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
For return on investment in biology studies, no school beat Christian Brothers University this year. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $51,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee Martin earned it the #2 place for biology studies. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,900. Biology Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $25,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Memphis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee 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 Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $35,986. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Austin Peay State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,215. Biology Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $24,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #6 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,500. Biology Studies graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $25,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,975. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #8 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $29,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Martin Methodist College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,924. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,308 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Martin Methodist College admits about 87% of applicants.
Tennessee Wesleyan College landed the #10 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,814 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $58,859. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University placed #11 among the best values for biology studies. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,138. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #12 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $52,004. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,902. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $47,696. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Tennessee State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,375 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $30,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #15 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,579 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $27,487. Set against $23,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Carson Newman College landed the #16 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,700 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,749 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $48,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #17 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,723. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $64,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Tusculum College landed the #18 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,250. Students borrow a median of $25,278 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Tusculum College earn a median of $47,624 early in their careers. Set against $25,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University landed the #19 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
King College earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. Students borrow a median of $25,579 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $49,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Adventist University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. Students from in state pay about $27,300 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Lipscomb University earned the #22 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $20,387. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Sewanee The University Of The South ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,120. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $23,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College placed #24 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,110. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $28,901 early in their careers. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Fisk University earned the #25 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Fisk University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,858. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,310. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $38,089. That is a strong return on a $26,310 median debt. Fisk University admits about 37% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biology studies this year:
More Biology Studies Rankings
View All Biology Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 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.
