by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 124 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in biology studies, no school beat Bunker Hill Community College this year. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $51,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Students borrow a median of $6,239 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $44,682. Set against $6,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Williams College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,454 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,213. That is a strong return on a $13,454 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Holyoke Community College, which ranked #4. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $5,300 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,300 median debt.
Worcester State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,625. Biology Studies graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $44,450 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
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Harvard University placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $74,161 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Capital Community College came in at #7 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Bristol Community College came in at #8 for value in biology studies this year. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,500. Biology Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $39,910. That is a strong return on a $26,949 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester placed #10 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,838, compared with $36,418 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of New Hampshire At Manchester earn a median of $45,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #11 spot for biology studies value this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $43,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Springfield Technical Community College placed #12 among the best values for biology studies. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $5,904 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Students borrow a median of $9,707 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $42,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College earned the #13 position for value in biology studies this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $14,125. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $46,631. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amherst College earned the #14 position for value in biology studies this year. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,398. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $59,271. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Framingham State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,999. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $42,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Bay Path College landed the #16 spot for biology studies value this year. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. In-state tuition and fees average $38,302. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $40,964 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Fitchburg State University landed the #17 spot for biology studies value this year. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,250. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #18 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $42,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #19 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Students borrow a median of $26,747 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $59,580. That is a strong return on a $26,747 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University landed the #20 spot for biology studies value this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $45,670. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bridgewater State University placed #21 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $44,626. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #22 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,907. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Farmington ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the rural area of Farmington, University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,308, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,300. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Bowdoin College placed #24 among the best values for biology studies. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $58,938. That is a strong return on a $20,658 median debt. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #25 spot for biology studies value this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
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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 · 124 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.