2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Iowa
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
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2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Des Moines Area Community College the best value for a degree in biology studies in Iowa. 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, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grinnell College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,500. Biology Studies graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $37,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Northern Iowa earned it the #3 place for biology studies. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $36,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $30,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Coe College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,666 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $41,112. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
Buena Vista University came in at #6 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,682. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Loras College placed #7 among the best values for biology studies. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,984. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $43,117. That is a strong return on a $26,984 median debt. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,512 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $34,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,512 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Simpson College earned the #9 position for value in biology studies this year. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $48,888. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Luther College landed the #10 spot for biology studies value this year. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,120. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $29,359. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
William Penn University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,750. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Central College placed #12 among the best values for biology studies. Central College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pella. Students from in state pay about $20,988 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Central College generally make around $26,933. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Dubuque landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $31,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Clarke University landed the #14 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,910. Students borrow a median of $26,895 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $53,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Saint Ambrose University placed #15 among the best values for biology studies. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Dordt College came in at #16 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,050. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
Northwestern College Iowa came in at #17 for value in biology studies this year. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Drake University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Students borrow a median of $25,343 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Morningside College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,519. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $32,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morningside College admits about 71% of applicants.
Wartburg College earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,250. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
