2026 Best Value Biology Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[Biology Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/biology-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology education students.
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2026 Best Value Biology Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biology Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Brigham Young University Idaho the best value for a degree in biology education in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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%.
A rank of #2 makes Western Governors University one of the best values for biology education. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,145 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $51,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,145 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Weber State University one of the best values for biology education. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $26,767. Early-career biology education graduates make about $50,600. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology education, landing the #4 spot this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Biology Education graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $45,042 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #5 place for biology education. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,587. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University came in at #6 for value in biology education this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $14,757 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Lewis Clark State College landed the #7 spot for biology education value this year. Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lewiston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,781 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $44,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #8 position for value in biology education this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $9,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,153. Set against $9,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The University Of Montana Western earned the #9 position for value in biology education this year. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. Students from in state pay about $6,669 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Students borrow a median of $22,557 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $36,924. Set against $22,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.