2026 Best Value Biology Education Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biology Education Schools
Leading the list is Northern Arizona University, our #1 best value for biology education in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $22,009. Early-career biology education graduates make about $49,856. Set against $22,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $25,000. Biology Education graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $47,741 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biology education will find it at Oklahoma City University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,754. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Oklahoma City University generally make around $58,379. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Students looking for strong value in biology education will find it at Texas Lutheran University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Seguin, Texas Lutheran University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,230. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Texas Lutheran University earn a median of $52,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Abilene Christian University landed the #6 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $51,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor came in at #7 for value in biology education this year. Set in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,300 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $27,000. Biology Education graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $54,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor admits about 96% of applicants.
Dallas Baptist University came in at #8 for value in biology education this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,190. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $48,822. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
Baylor University placed #9 among the best values for biology education. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $53,201. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
[Biology Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/biology-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology education education at a price that pays off.
