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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biophysics students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biophysics degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in biophysics, no school beat East Carolina University this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $23,581 in student loans. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $51,931. Set against $23,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the best values for biophysics. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $18,627. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Lipscomb University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biophysics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Biophysics graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biophysics will find it at Wake Forest University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biophysics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $13,296. Early-career biophysics graduates make about $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.