[Biological Engineering](/majors/engineering/biological-biosystems-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value biological engineering schools.
Finding the Best Value Biological Engineering School for You
The biological engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Biological Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Biological Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for biological engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Biological Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Biological Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $46,917 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biological engineering will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $14,933 to complete the biological engineering program here. Soon after graduation, biological engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $67,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #3 place for biological engineering. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological engineering graduates is $25,972. Early-career biological engineering graduates make about $57,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for biological engineering. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $25,091 to complete the biological engineering program here. Soon after graduation, biological engineering degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $62,842. That is a strong return on a $25,091 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of California Davis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the biological engineering program here. Early-career biological engineering graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University placed #6 among the best values for biological engineering. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the biological engineering program here. Soon after graduation, biological engineering degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $52,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #7 among the best values for biological engineering. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological engineering graduates is $21,861. Biological Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #8 spot for biological engineering value this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $21,525 to complete the biological engineering program here. Early-career biological engineering graduates make about $61,755. Set against $21,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas placed #9 among the best values for biological engineering. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Biological Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Biological Engineering graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Auburn University came in at #10 for value in biological engineering this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Biological Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,747 in student loans. Biological Engineering graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $59,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Cornell University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value biological engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Typical student debt for biological engineering graduates is $15,005. Soon after graduation, biological engineering degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #12 spot for biological engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological engineering graduates is $24,521. Biological Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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).
[Biological Engineering](/majors/engineering/biological-biosystems-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological engineering education at a price that pays off.
