by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in biology studies, no school beat Union County College this year. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Students borrow a median of $8,297 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $38,168. Set against $8,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,472. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gloucester County College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $9,500. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $25,026. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kean University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,548 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,522. That is a strong return on a $26,548 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at New Jersey City University, which ranked #5. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $37,980. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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Saint Peters College came in at #6 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $18,800 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,779. Set against $18,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $37,141. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt.
Montclair State University earned the #8 position for value in biology studies this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $40,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,834 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $25,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,860 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $42,492. That is a strong return on a $25,860 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #11 for value in biology studies this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,010. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,418. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden placed #12 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $37,671. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #13 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $60,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Students borrow a median of $21,770 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $30,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #15 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rowan University came in at #16 for value in biology studies this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $33,313. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Caldwell College earned the #17 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,848. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $48,400. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Caldwell College admits about 71% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $60,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham came in at #19 for value in biology studies this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Students from in state pay about $37,468 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,418. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham admits about 95% of applicants.
Bloomfield College earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Bloomfield College is a small public school located in the suburb of Bloomfield. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,910 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $31,019. Set against $26,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bloomfield College admits about 70% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #21 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $25,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Drew University came in at #22 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $24,229. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Seton Hall University earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $27,759 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Monmouth University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $26,445. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Felician College placed #25 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Lodi, Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,300. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Felician College generally make around $29,515. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
