2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 199 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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
University Of Minnesota Morris earned the #1 spot for value among biology studies schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $40,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #2 makes St Charles Community College one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,606. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Metropolitan Community College Kansas City one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,281. Biology Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Moberly Area Community College one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,507 median debt.
Jefferson College placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,664. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $47,560. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truman State University earned the #7 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,305 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $31,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #8 for value in biology studies this year. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #10 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $14,956. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #11 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $32,400. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #12 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,750. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $31,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #13 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,250. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $35,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Minot State University landed the #14 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,788. Biology Studies graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Normandale Community College came in at #15 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,162. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University earned the #16 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $37,134. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #17 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,286. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,450 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $44,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,450 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Grinnell College earned the #19 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $37,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #20 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $47,439. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #21 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,326 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,650. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $38,179. Set against $17,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn University placed #22 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $40,936. Set against $24,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chadron State College landed the #24 spot for biology studies value this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University came in at #25 for value in biology studies this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,314 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
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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 · 199 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 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.
