2026 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in Virginia
[Biological & Biomedical Sciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/) 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biological & biomedical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & biomedical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #1 spot for value among biological & biomedical sciences schools 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, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $23,457. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $31,459. That is a strong return on a $23,457 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Old Dominion University earned it the #3 place for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $23,595. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $27,606 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,595 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Radford University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $25,000. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $32,457. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Norfolk State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & biomedical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Military Institute landed the #6 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $23,000. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $43,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #7 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $18,943 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $27,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia State University placed #8 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $28,169. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Randolph College landed the #9 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,310. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Randolph College admits about 94% of applicants.
Mary Baldwin College earned the #10 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,187. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $60,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lynchburg College came in at #11 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,750. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $107,159. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,090. Students borrow a median of $26,038 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $34,494. That is a strong return on a $26,038 median debt. Bridgewater College admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #13 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,567 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $35,194 early in their careers. Set against $22,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
James Madison University earned the #14 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,442 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $22,442 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,500. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $26,625. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $30,921. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Longwood University landed the #16 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $26,946. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $33,686. That is a strong return on a $26,946 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Emory And Henry College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,000. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Emory And Henry College generally make around $47,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emory And Henry College admits about 84% of applicants.
Christopher Newport University placed #18 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $30,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary earned the #19 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $33,187. Set against $16,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 34%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $19,500. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $23,395. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Hollins University landed the #21 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,560. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Hollins University earn a median of $27,721 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hollins University admits about 68% of applicants.
Bluefield College earned the #22 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Set in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $24,780. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $20,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Averett University landed the #23 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,550. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $28,595. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Averett University earn a median of $53,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,595 median debt. Averett University admits about 57% of applicants.
Sweet Briar College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,160. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,943. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #25 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,926 in student loans. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $33,282 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biological & biomedical sciences:
More Biological & Biomedical Sciences Rankings
View All Biological & Biomedical Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
