by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Our analysis ranked College Of Southern Idaho the best value for a degree in biology studies in Idaho. 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, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,175. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,211. Biology Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $24,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
College Of Western Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Students borrow a median of $20,993 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,963.
University Of Idaho came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $39,368 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Idaho State University earned it the #5 place for biology studies. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,866. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
Boise State University earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Students borrow a median of $22,988 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,288. Set against $22,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The College Of Idaho ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, The College Of Idaho is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,845. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of The College Of Idaho earn a median of $29,460 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
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Northwest Nazarene University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,824. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,406. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Northwest Nazarene University generally make around $33,875. That is a strong return on a $24,406 median debt. Northwest Nazarene University admits about 65% of applicants.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.