2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Indiana
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
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2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Indiana University Northwest earned the #1 spot for value among biology studies schools in Indiana. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,434. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $48,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
A rank of #2 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $35,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,380 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,500. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $35,707. Set against $24,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana State University landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,948. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $43,656. That is a strong return on a $21,948 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #8 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,696. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $42,937. That is a strong return on a $24,696 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $33,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #10 for value in biology studies this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $38,985. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $38,242. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,333 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $39,214. Set against $24,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis came in at #13 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $39,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Evansville landed the #14 spot for biology studies value this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,172. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,234. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $59,618 early in their careers. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne came in at #15 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,460 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $57,192. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,672. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Wabash College earned the #17 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Wabash College generally make around $40,138. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Hanover College earned the #18 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,698. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Biology Studies graduates of Hanover College earn a median of $31,321 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin College placed #19 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franklin College admits about 70% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #20 for value in biology studies this year. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,352. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $36,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana Wesleyan University admits about 89% of applicants.
Marian University Indiana landed the #21 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,664. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Marian University Indiana earn a median of $35,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Taylor University landed the #22 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $45,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Earlham College landed the #23 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,930 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $43,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Trine University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Angola. Students from in state pay about $36,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Trine University generally make around $39,067. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Holy Cross College earned the #25 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Students borrow a median of $23,586 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
More Biology Studies Rankings
View All Biology Studies Rankings >
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
