2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in North Carolina
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among biology studies schools in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $15,100. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $33,471. Set against $15,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,914. Biology Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $31,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,914 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,037 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,381. That is a strong return on a $26,037 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $34,094 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University placed #7 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,000. Biology Studies graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $28,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #8 for value in biology studies this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #10 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $35,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $28,358. Biology Studies graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $36,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,358 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson College came in at #12 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,602. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
East Carolina University placed #13 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $38,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Winston Salem State University placed #14 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,446 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $30,719. That is a strong return on a $27,446 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
North Carolina Central University placed #15 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,420 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $30,423. Set against $30,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #16 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,125. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $32,925. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Olive College landed the #17 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,366 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $29,467. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mount Olive College admits about 76% of applicants.
Livingstone College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Livingstone College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,296. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $34,594. Biology Studies graduates of Livingstone College earn a median of $24,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,594 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Meredith College came in at #19 for value in biology studies this year. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,630. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $43,182. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Meredith College admits about 74% of applicants.
Mars Hill College placed #20 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,736 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,040. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Mars Hill College generally make around $29,455. Set against $26,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mars Hill College admits about 68% of applicants.
Wingate University placed #21 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,729. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Johnson C Smith University came in at #22 for value in biology studies this year. Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,300. Students borrow a median of $28,123 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Johnson C Smith University generally make around $28,675. Set against $28,123 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Peace College earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Peace College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,176. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Peace College generally make around $39,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Peace College admits about 94% of applicants.
Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #24 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,900. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Lenoir Rhyne University generally make around $49,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Belmont Abbey College earned the #25 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Belmont, Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,500. Students borrow a median of $25,738 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,322. That is a strong return on a $25,738 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
