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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Biotechnology Associate’s Degree Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
$12,466 Avg Student Debt
$39,915 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Biotechnology Associate's Degree Badge [Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 246 schools to find the best return on investment for biotechnology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biotechnology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Biotechnology Schools

1

Leading the list is North Central State College, our #1 best value for biotechnology in the United States. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $12,236. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #2 place for biotechnology. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes Erie Community College one of the best values for biotechnology. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Students looking for strong value in biotechnology will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Other Biotechnology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value biotechnology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Biotechnology
Bachelor's Degrees in Biotechnology
Master's Degrees in Biotechnology
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View All Biotechnology Rankings >

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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 · 246 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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