2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in North Carolina

[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biotechnology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biotechnology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biotechnology Schools
Leading the list is Cleveland Community College, our #1 best value for biotechnology in North Carolina. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Gaston College one of the best values for biotechnology. 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. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
More Biotechnology Rankings
View All Biotechnology Rankings >
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.