2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 171 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 the Southwest Region
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
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in biology studies in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $6,602 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,791. That is a strong return on a $6,602 median debt.
Texas A And M International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,411 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $24,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $14,557. Biology Studies graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alvin Community College earned it the #5 place for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $8,600. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $9,017. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. That is a strong return on a $9,017 median debt.
Austin Community College District earned the #7 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,375 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $34,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College earned the #9 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $9,000. Biology Studies graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $17,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College landed the #11 spot for biology studies value this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,110. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #13 for value in biology studies this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,950 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Juan College earned the #14 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $16,150. Biology Studies graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #15 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $18,660. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $8,632 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $49,087 early in their careers. Set against $8,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #17 spot for biology studies value this year. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Socorro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,747 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,312. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,533. That is a strong return on a $20,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #19 for value in biology studies this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,526. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #20 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar Institute Of Technology landed the #21 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,844, while out-of-state students pay about $12,924. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $50,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College earned the #22 position for value in biology studies this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,005. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $24,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
South Plains College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biology studies this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 171 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 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.
