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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 23 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.
Copiah Lincoln Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools in Mississippi. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Median earnings reach $31,241 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at East Mississippi Community College, which ranked #2. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Itawamba Community College one of the best values for biology studies. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $10,942. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Holmes Community College one of the best values for biology studies. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at University Of Mississippi Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $21,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
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Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,740. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi University For Women came in at #7 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,509. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $42,756. That is a strong return on a $24,509 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rust College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Holly Springs, Rust College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,265 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Rust College generally make around $26,947. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Delta State University came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Delta State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $22,601 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $20,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Mississippi Valley State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,692. Median earnings reach $31,919 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #11 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Students borrow a median of $23,213 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $24,195 early in their careers. Set against $23,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Alcorn State University earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. Students from in state pay about $8,785 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,607. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Mississippi State University earned the #13 position for value in biology studies this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,313 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $20,056. Set against $23,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
William Carey University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $18,770 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $19,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Tougaloo College placed #15 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Tougaloo, Tougaloo College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,407. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $42,875. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,724 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $42,875 median debt. Tougaloo College admits about 60% of applicants.
Jackson State University came in at #16 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Jackson State University generally make around $25,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mississippi College placed #17 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $21,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Millsaps College came in at #18 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Millsaps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,680. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Biology Studies graduates of Millsaps College earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millsaps College admits about 43% of applicants.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.