2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Virginia
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Virginia
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 Northern Virginia Community College, our #1 best value for biology studies in Virginia. 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. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Radford University one of the best values for biology studies. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Radford University earn a median of $32,457 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,970 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,953. That is a strong return on a $25,970 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Virginia Military Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,046, while out-of-state students pay about $52,638. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $43,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $35,983. Set against $21,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Virginia State University placed #7 among the best values for biology studies. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $28,169 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Sweet Briar College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the rural area of Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,160. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,943 ten years after entry. Sweet Briar College admits about 76% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,681 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $29,851 early in their careers. Set against $16,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Bridgewater College placed #10 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,090. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,494. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bridgewater College admits about 92% of applicants.
Longwood University landed the #11 spot for biology studies value this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Students borrow a median of $26,946 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $33,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,946 median debt. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
Randolph College came in at #12 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,310 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,373. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $43,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,567 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $35,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Emory And Henry College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $47,255. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. Emory And Henry College admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #15 spot for biology studies value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $23,395. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Wesleyan College placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,500. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,625. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $30,921. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Wesleyan College admits about 73% of applicants.
Hollins University landed the #17 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,560. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Hollins University earn a median of $27,721 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hollins University admits about 68% of applicants.
Lynchburg College placed #18 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,750. Biology Studies graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Hampden Sydney College landed the #19 spot for biology studies value this year. Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,550. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,876. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hampden Sydney College admits about 41% of applicants.
Southern Virginia University earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Southern Virginia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buena Vista. In-state tuition and fees average $21,030. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Southern Virginia University generally make around $22,024. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Christopher Newport University placed #21 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $30,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University placed #22 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $40,046. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Averett University landed the #23 spot for biology studies value this year. Averett University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,550. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $53,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Averett University admits about 57% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #24 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,712 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $27,506. That is a strong return on a $21,712 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,074. Biology Studies graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Set against $20,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biology studies value ranking:
More Biology Studies Rankings
View All Biology Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
