by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biology Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/biology-education/) 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology education degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in biology education, no school beat Western Governors University this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $25,145 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $51,888. That is a strong return on a $25,145 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Weber State University one of the best values for biology education. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Biology Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $50,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #3 place for biology education. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $45,042 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Utah State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $14,757. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,877. Set against $14,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Provo earned it the #5 place for biology education. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $9,117 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $47,153. That is a strong return on a $9,117 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.