by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biophysics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/biophysics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biophysics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 80 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biophysics students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study biophysics affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Biophysics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Biophysics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biophysics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Stanford University earned the #1 spot for value among biophysics schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for biophysics. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the biophysics program here. Biophysics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $45,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
A rank of #3 makes Princeton University one of the best values for biophysics. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $10,888. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $41,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in biophysics will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $14,920. Biophysics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $59,523 early in their careers. Set against $14,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biophysics schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Biophysics graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $43,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of California Davis came in at #6 for value in biophysics this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $11,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $42,266. Set against $11,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside placed #7 among the best values for biophysics. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the biophysics program here. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $30,077. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biophysics schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $23,000. Biophysics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot for biophysics value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the biophysics program here. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $40,562. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #10 position for value in biophysics this year. 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. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $31,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Harvard University came in at #11 for value in biophysics this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the biophysics program here. Biophysics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #12 spot for biophysics value this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $21,999. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $47,216. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #13 spot for biophysics value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the biophysics program here. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $48,721. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Oakland University placed #14 among the best values for biophysics. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #15 for value in biophysics this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,948 to complete the biophysics program here. Biophysics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $51,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,948 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #16 for value in biophysics this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $63,355. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #17 position for value in biophysics this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the biophysics program here. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,549. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for biophysics. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $53,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Suny At Geneseo came in at #19 for value in biophysics this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $22,986. Biophysics graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,206 early in their careers. Set against $22,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value biophysics schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $15,854. Biophysics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
East Carolina University earned the #21 position for value in biophysics this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $23,581 to complete the biophysics program here. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $51,931. That is a strong return on a $23,581 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Iowa State University landed the #22 spot for biophysics value this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $19,477 in student loans. Biophysics graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $43,520 early in their careers. Set against $19,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biophysics schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $18,968 in student loans. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $60,047. Set against $18,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Swarthmore College landed the #24 spot for biophysics value this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Biophysics graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #25 position for value in biophysics this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for biophysics this year:
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Biophysics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.