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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biology studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Snow College the best value for a degree in biology studies in the Rocky Mountains Region. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $10,440. Biology Studies graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $11,211 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $24,557. Set against $11,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $38,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laramie County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,309. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $51,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $10,855. Biology Studies graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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College Of Southern Idaho earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,175. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,993. Biology Studies graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Utah State University placed #8 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,750. Biology Studies graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $29,179 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Southern Utah University came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $44,998. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Utah landed the #10 spot for biology studies value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,000. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,000. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $33,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Pueblo ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,829 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $38,933 early in their careers. Set against $25,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Idaho earned the #13 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $39,368. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Adams State College came in at #14 for value in biology studies this year. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,523. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $48,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #15 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $29,587. Biology Studies graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $41,018 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,587 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,697 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $35,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montana State University Billings came in at #17 for value in biology studies this year. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. Students from in state pay about $7,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $48,764 early in their careers. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public school located in the town of Butte. Students from in state pay about $8,289 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,094. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,962. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana generally make around $68,773. Set against $23,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #19 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,425 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $32,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,425 median debt. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
Mesa State College earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,774. Biology Studies graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $32,565 early in their careers. Set against $27,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western State College Of Colorado landed the #21 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318, with out-of-state students paying around $24,434. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,973 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $29,881. Set against $23,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $27,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Montana ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,718. Biology Studies graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $43,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,718 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $18,761 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $26,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,761 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #25 for value in biology studies this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,663. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $38,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
These schools also delivered strong value for biology studies this year:
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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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
