2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Maine
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Maine
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
Leading the list is University Of Southern Maine, our #1 best value for biology studies in Maine. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Farmington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $11,308 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,878 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Maine At Farmington generally make around $33,300. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Bowdoin College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $58,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,658 median debt. The acceptance rate is 7%.
University Of Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,029. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Colby College one of the best values for biology studies. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $22,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $43,597. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Bates College placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $12,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Bates College generally make around $30,613. Set against $12,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bates College admits about 13% of applicants.
University Of New England placed #7 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,210. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $34,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
