2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Virginia
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
For return on investment in biology studies, no school beat Northern Virginia Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $14,413. Biology Studies graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $35,983 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,970 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $28,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,970 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Radford University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $32,457. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Norfolk State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $54,971. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Military Institute placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $21,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,000. Biology Studies graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $43,797 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #7 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,712 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $27,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia State University landed the #8 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,000. Biology Studies graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $28,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Randolph College came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,310. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Randolph College generally make around $43,197. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Randolph College admits about 94% of applicants.
Mary Baldwin College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $29,562. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $60,386. That is a strong return on a $29,562 median debt.
Lynchburg College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,750. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $107,159. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater College placed #12 among the best values for biology studies. Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,090. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $34,494. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington earned the #13 position for value in biology studies this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,567. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $35,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
James Madison University landed the #14 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $40,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Virginia Wesleyan College earned the #15 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,500. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Longwood University placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,946. Biology Studies graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $33,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,946 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Emory And Henry College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,000. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,938. Biology Studies graduates of Emory And Henry College earn a median of $47,255 early in their careers. Set against $26,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Christopher Newport University placed #18 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $30,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
College Of William And Mary earned the #19 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,681 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $29,851 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,681 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #20 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $23,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Hollins University came in at #21 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Biology Studies graduates of Hollins University earn a median of $27,721 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Bluefield College came in at #22 for value in biology studies this year. Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bluefield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,770. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,780 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Bluefield College earn a median of $20,621 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bluefield College admits about 59% of applicants.
Averett University earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Averett University earn a median of $53,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,595 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Sweet Briar College earned the #24 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the rural area of Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,160. Median earnings reach $51,943 ten years out. Sweet Briar College admits about 76% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #25 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biology studies value ranking:
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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
