[Biology Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/biology-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 330 schools to find the best return on investment for biology education students.
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Finding the Best Value Biology Education School for You
The biology education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Biology Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Biology Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for biology education in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $61,604 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for biology education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $13,178. Early-career biology education graduates make about $61,164. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Biology Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $67,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $13,389. Early-career biology education graduates make about $73,336. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $90,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Biology Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $59,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wyoming placed #7 among the best values for biology education. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $49,587. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #8 for value in biology education this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College landed the #9 spot for biology education value this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $12,573. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #10 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $65,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #11 among the best values for biology education. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $13,680 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $42,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southern Utah University came in at #12 for value in biology education this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $45,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Bucks County Community College came in at #13 for value in biology education this year. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
Western Governors University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $25,145 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $51,888. That is a strong return on a $25,145 median debt.
Eastern Washington University came in at #15 for value in biology education this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $23,009 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $41,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Utah State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $14,757. Biology Education graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,877 early in their careers. Set against $14,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University earned the #17 position for value in biology education this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $46,835. Set against $27,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #18 for value in biology education this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $26,746 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Holy Family University came in at #19 for value in biology education this year. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $59,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
Weber State University landed the #20 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $26,767. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $50,600. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Washington University landed the #21 spot for biology education value this year. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,377 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno Pacific University placed #22 among the best values for biology education. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $21,875. Biology Education graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $77,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras landed the #23 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Millikin University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $43,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #25 position for value in biology education this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $51,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biology education value ranking:
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 · 330 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 101 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).
[Biology Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/biology-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology education education at a price that pays off.
