by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 104 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for biology studies in Texas. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,160. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $6,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $28,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #3 place for biology studies. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $17,411 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Alvin Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes El Centro College one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Austin Community College District ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. 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.
Del Mar College earned the #7 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #8 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $17,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. 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, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,950 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $24,841. That is a strong return on a $13,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,526 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $20,526 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Lamar Institute Of Technology landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $2,844, while out-of-state students pay about $12,924. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #14 spot for biology studies value this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Temple College ranked #15 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $16,617 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
Houston Community College earned the #16 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,005. Biology Studies graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $24,621 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College came in at #17 for value in biology studies this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,302 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,212. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.
Tyler Junior College landed the #19 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $14,869. Biology Studies graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,242 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $41,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rice University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Odessa College landed the #22 spot for biology studies value this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $10,425. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University came in at #24 for value in biology studies this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $22,274 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $31,367 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #25 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $18,479 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $22,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
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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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.