2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Tennessee
[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 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biology studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Tennessee
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
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #1 spot for value among biology studies schools in Tennessee. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $35,986. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $29,643. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Tennessee Martin one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $25,900 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $25,185. Set against $25,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Tennessee Technological University one of the best values for biology studies. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $25,087. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $32,145. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University placed #7 among the best values for biology studies. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $29,375 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,672. That is a strong return on a $29,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #8 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Le Moyne Owen College came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Le Moyne Owen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,076. Median earnings reach $35,594 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 99%.
East Tennessee State University came in at #10 for value in biology studies this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,625. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,138. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $26,215 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $24,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Martin Methodist College landed the #12 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,924. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,308. Biology Studies graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Set against $23,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,579 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,487. That is a strong return on a $23,579 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University placed #14 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $17,723 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $64,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Lane College placed #15 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,790. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $34,280 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Lane College earn a median of $26,754 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vanderbilt University placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University earned the #17 position for value in biology studies this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,620. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,750. Biology Studies graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Maryville College came in at #18 for value in biology studies this year. Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,284. Students borrow a median of $26,428 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Maryville College earn a median of $42,971 early in their careers. Set against $26,428 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
King College placed #19 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,397 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,579 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of King College earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,579 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Tusculum College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,250. Students borrow a median of $25,278 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Tusculum College earn a median of $47,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Adventist University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. Students from in state pay about $27,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rhodes College earned the #22 position for value in biology studies this year. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $57,110. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,901. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhodes College admits about 50% of applicants.
Lipscomb University came in at #23 for value in biology studies this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,375. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $20,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Fisk University came in at #24 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Fisk University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,858. Students borrow a median of $26,310 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Fisk University generally make around $38,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #25 position for value in biology studies this year. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,120. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $23,932 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biology studies value ranking:
More Biology Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
