2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Montana

[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 11 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
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2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Montana
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
Montana State University Billings tops our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools in Montana. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,465 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $48,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,465 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Located in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,289, 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.
The University Of Montana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Rocky Mountain College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,582 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,663. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,912. Set against $22,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana State University earned it the #5 place for biology studies. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $29,435. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Carroll College placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Helena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,484. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $35,157. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 11 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.