by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 246 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biotechnology schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biotechnology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in biotechnology in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biotechnology, landing the #2 spot this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $52,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in biotechnology will find it at California State University San Marcos, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned it the #4 place for biotechnology. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $18,500. Biotechnology graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $60,697 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Located in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $9,117. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo generally make around $27,188. That is a strong return on a $9,117 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.
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University Of Central Florida placed #6 among the best values for biotechnology. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $25,498. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $36,992. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Ferris State University placed #7 among the best values for biotechnology. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon landed the #8 spot for biotechnology value this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Students borrow a median of $10,051 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earn a median of $22,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Georgia landed the #9 spot for biotechnology value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston landed the #10 spot for biotechnology value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $19,250. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $49,916. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #11 position for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $20,577. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #12 for value in biotechnology this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #13 for value in biotechnology this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $12,184. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $42,178. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public school located in the city of Manchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,838, compared with $36,418 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire At Manchester generally make around $50,276. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #15 for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,274 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $8,630. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez earn a median of $32,922 early in their careers. Set against $8,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of California Davis came in at #16 for value in biotechnology 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $11,985. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $59,156. Set against $11,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University came in at #17 for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $22,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $70,124. Set against $22,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #18 position for value in biotechnology this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #19 among the best values for biotechnology. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $20,778. Biotechnology 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. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Delaware came in at #20 for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #21 for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $46,298 early in their careers. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $47,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Kentucky came in at #23 for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $23,180. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $43,030. That is a strong return on a $23,180 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,303, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,763 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biotechnology:
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Explore the best-value biotechnology schools at other degree levels:
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 · 246 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
