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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in the Southeast Region

7 Colleges in the United States
$21,239 Avg Student Debt
$55,875 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Biotechnology Badge [Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biotechnology schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in the Southeast Region

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

Best Value Biotechnology Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Cleveland Community College the best value for a degree in biotechnology in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.

2
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Students looking for strong value in biotechnology will find it at Gaston College, which ranked #2. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #4 place for biotechnology. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $36,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

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6

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #6 for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $22,000. Biotechnology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $67,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Kentucky came in at #7 for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,180 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $43,030. Set against $23,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

8

University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #8 spot for biotechnology value this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $55,413. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.

9
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #9 among the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $20,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $41,832. Set against $20,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.

10
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #10 position for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $22,803. Biotechnology graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Set against $22,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #11 spot for biotechnology value this year. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $32,114. Biotechnology graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 41 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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