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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Arizona Western College, our #1 best value for biology studies in Arizona. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
A rank of #2 makes Glendale Community College Glendale Az one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dine College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,410. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $20,227.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa Community College earned it the #4 place for biology studies. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Phoenix College one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Mountain Community College placed #9 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
Northern Arizona University placed #10 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $38,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,812. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,500. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $37,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Grand Canyon University placed #13 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,775. Set against $26,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Arizona Christian University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Arizona Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,098. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,625. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,702. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona Christian University admits about 71% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott placed #15 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,288 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $66,620. Set against $24,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.