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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biology studies schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Grinnell College earned the #1 spot for value among biology studies schools in Iowa. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,500. Biology Studies graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $37,170 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $36,286. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,614. Biology Studies graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $30,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coe College earned it the #5 place for biology studies. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,666. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Coe College earn a median of $41,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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Clarke University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,910 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $53,450. Set against $26,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clarke University admits about 72% of applicants.
Buena Vista University earned the #7 position for value in biology studies this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Biology Studies graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $30,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #8 among the best values for biology studies. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $25,512. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $34,813. Set against $25,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
William Penn University placed #9 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,750. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $36,449. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Central College earned the #10 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,988. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Central College generally make around $26,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College came in at #11 for value in biology studies this year. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. In-state tuition and fees average $26,250. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $34,398. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Saint Ambrose University placed #12 among the best values for biology studies. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $30,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Morningside College landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,519. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $32,620. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa came in at #14 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Dordt College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,050. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. That is a strong return on a $21,812 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Luther College placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $29,359. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
Drake University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $25,343 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Drake University earn a median of $41,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.