[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1712 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Biology Studies School for You
The right biology studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Biology Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Biology Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked San Diego Mesa College the best value for a degree in biology studies in the United States. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $7,611. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $7,611 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,598. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,257. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #3 place for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $67,422. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $37,834. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #5 makes Mission College one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny City College came in at #7 for value in biology studies this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $12,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $28,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #8 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $6,500. Biology Studies graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $15,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Folsom Lake College placed #9 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
College Of San Mateo landed the #10 spot for biology studies value this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College placed #11 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #12 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $43,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Moorpark College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #14 spot for biology studies value this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,101. Biology Studies graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $34,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,101 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #15 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $16,536 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $24,713. That is a strong return on a $16,536 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
De Anza College placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the biology studies program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #17 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,612. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Skyline College came in at #18 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,641. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $31,777. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #21 position for value in biology studies this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $16,043. Biology Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $31,479 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,043 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #22 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #24 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,283 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $31,381. Set against $15,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saddleback College earned the #25 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biology studies value ranking:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Biology Studies. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
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 · 1712 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 886 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).
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
