2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 121 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
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
South Texas College tops our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $6,602 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $28,791 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,602 median debt.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,411. Biology Studies graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $24,084 early in their careers. Set against $17,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes El Centro College one of the best values for biology studies. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $13,950 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $24,841. That is a strong return on a $13,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
El Paso Community College landed the #6 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $17,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College placed #7 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $34,560. That is a strong return on a $13,375 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $11,005 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $24,621. Set against $11,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #10 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $9,017 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,848. That is a strong return on a $9,017 median debt.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northern Oklahoma College placed #12 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,811 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,565. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $8,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College came in at #14 for value in biology studies this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #15 spot for biology studies value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #16 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,526 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Odessa College came in at #17 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College placed #18 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College placed #19 among the best values for biology studies. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $14,242. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,039. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000, while out-of-state students pay about $20,190. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma generally make around $30,136. The acceptance rate is 66%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $20,312 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $26,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Hill College landed the #22 spot for biology studies value this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Students borrow a median of $12,302 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $18,479 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $22,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #24 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $18,660. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $51,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University earned the #25 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $32,077. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
Narrow Biology Studies Schools by State
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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 · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 121 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.
