2027 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in Iowa
[Biological & Biomedical Sciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biological & biomedical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & biomedical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Des Moines Area Community College, our #1 best value for biological & biomedical sciences in Iowa. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences 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.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $21,500. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $36,286 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Grinnell College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. Students from in state pay about $68,196 in tuition and fees. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,586 in student loans. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $38,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & biomedical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $33,165. That is a strong return on a $22,288 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #5 makes Coe College one of the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,666. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Coe College earn a median of $41,036 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
Buena Vista University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $30,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Loras College landed the #7 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,984 in student loans. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $43,117. That is a strong return on a $26,984 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa landed the #8 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,775 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $30,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Simpson College came in at #9 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Simpson College generally make around $48,888. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Luther College placed #10 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $29,359. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
William Penn University came in at #11 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,750. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $36,449 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Penn University admits about 52% of applicants.
Central College earned the #12 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,988 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Central College earn a median of $26,933 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Dubuque placed #13 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,095. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $31,779. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
Cornell College placed #14 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $39,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Clarke University earned the #15 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,895 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Clarke University earn a median of $53,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clarke University admits about 72% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University earned the #16 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $30,825. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Dordt College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. 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. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
Northwestern College Iowa earned the #18 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University landed the #19 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Students borrow a median of $20,566 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Drake University earn a median of $41,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
Morningside College came in at #20 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,519 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $32,620. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College earned the #21 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $34,398 early in their careers. 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 ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
