2027 Best Value Biology Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Biology Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/biology-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for biology education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Biology Education Schools in the The Plains States 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
For return on investment in biology education, no school beat Valley City State University this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $24,394. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $51,170. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #2 makes Chadron State College one of the best values for biology education. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $24,943 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mayville State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value biology education schools. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $27,464. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $47,650. That is a strong return on a $27,464 median debt.
Wichita State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value biology education schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $22,145. Early-career biology education graduates make about $47,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biology education will find it at Peru State College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
Minot State University earned the #6 position for value in biology education this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $28,324 in student loans. Biology Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $44,973 early in their careers. Set against $28,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson State University landed the #7 spot for biology education value this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $27,266. Early-career biology education graduates make about $51,049. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Ozarks ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value biology education schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in biology education this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $25,485. Biology Education graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,970 early in their careers. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #10 spot for biology education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $43,279. That is a strong return on a $30,795 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College placed #11 among the best values for biology education. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,957 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $46,646. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.
Washburn University placed #12 among the best values for biology education. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $21,175. Early-career biology education graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pittsburg State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value biology education schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $24,125. Biology Education graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #14 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $48,109 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Emporia State University placed #15 among the best values for biology education. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Biology Education graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $52,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Northern State University earned the #16 position for value in biology education this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $45,824. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #17 among the best values for biology education. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $26,221 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $38,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University earned the #18 position for value in biology education this year. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $42,789. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Winona State University came in at #19 for value in biology education this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $26,762 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $44,002. Set against $26,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Metropolitan State University came in at #20 for value in biology education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Students borrow a median of $27,984 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. Set against $27,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value biology education schools. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $27,399. Early-career biology education graduates make about $43,299. Set against $27,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #22 for value in biology education this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $44,850. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #23 spot for biology education value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $26,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University placed #24 among the best values for biology education. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Students borrow a median of $29,008 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University earned the #25 position for value in biology education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $30,175 in student loans. Biology Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $34,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,175 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Biology Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biology education this year:
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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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
