2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 117 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value biology studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
University Of Minnesota Morris tops our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $40,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Marys University Of Minnesota one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,081. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #3 place for biology studies. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,606. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Jefferson College one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $47,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $40,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University placed #7 among the best values for biology studies. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $37,134. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University placed #9 among the best values for biology studies. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,305 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $31,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #10 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,866. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #11 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,750. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $31,149. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #12 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $35,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $24,450 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $44,166 early in their careers. Set against $24,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Minot State University placed #14 among the best values for biology studies. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,788. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Chadron State College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $47,254. Set against $22,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #16 spot for biology studies value this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,650. Biology Studies graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $38,179 early in their careers. Set against $17,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University landed the #17 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,314 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $34,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Normandale Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,162. Biology Studies graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harris Stowe State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $31,600 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,600 median debt.
Dickinson State University earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,118. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,266. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Wayne State College came in at #21 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $18,761 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $32,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #22 spot for biology studies value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $36,286. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #23 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $32,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,136 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #25 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,291. Biology Studies graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biology studies this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 117 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.
