by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Oklahoma City Community College, our #1 best value for biology studies in Oklahoma. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $9,017 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,848. Set against $9,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned it the #2 place for biology studies. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Oklahoma College one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,083, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,811. Biology Studies graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Central University earned it the #4 place for biology studies. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $32,077. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000, compared with $20,190 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earn a median of $30,136 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Oklahoma Panhandle State University came in at #6 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,092, with out-of-state students paying around $8,675. Students borrow a median of $25,290 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cameron University came in at #7 for value in biology studies this year. Cameron University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lawton. Students from in state pay about $7,095 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,515. Students borrow a median of $23,967 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Cameron University earn a median of $43,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #8 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $22,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Northwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $46,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Oklahoma State College landed the #9 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Wilburton, Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,767, compared with $8,383 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Connors State College came in at #10 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $16,071. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Connors State College generally make around $47,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rogers State University placed #11 among the best values for biology studies. Rogers State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Claremore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Rogers State University earn a median of $27,822 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $26,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #13 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,795 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,231. That is a strong return on a $20,795 median debt.
Mid America Christian University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,294. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $37,852. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Mid America Christian University generally make around $43,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mid America Christian University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #15 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,437 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,180. Set against $21,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Oklahoma Christian University earned the #16 position for value in biology studies this year. Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Edmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,180. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,721. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $49,615. Set against $24,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Oral Roberts University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $28,500. Biology Studies graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $29,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Tulsa landed the #18 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,546. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,638 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $66,166. Set against $23,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
