2026 Best Value Biology Education Schools in the The Plains States 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for biology education students.
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2026 Best Value Biology Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biology Education Schools
Leading the list is Washburn University, our #1 best value for biology education in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chadron State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology education, landing the #2 spot this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $24,943 in student loans. Biology Education 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.
Valley City State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Students borrow a median of $24,394 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $48,241. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biology education will find it at Peru State College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $22,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $47,121. Set against $22,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Minot State University placed #6 among the best values for biology education. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Students borrow a median of $28,324 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $44,973. Set against $28,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Ozarks landed the #7 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Mayville State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $47,650 early in their careers. Set against $27,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #9 for value in biology education this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $30,795. Early-career biology education graduates make about $43,279. Set against $30,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Wayne State College landed the #10 spot for biology education value this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $25,957. Biology Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for biology education value this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Biology Education graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,970 early in their careers. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Emporia State University came in at #12 for value in biology education this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Biology Education graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $52,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #13 position for value in biology education this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,221 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University earned the #14 position for value in biology education this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $47,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Dickinson State University landed the #15 spot for biology education value this year. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #16 among the best values for biology education. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Northern State University landed the #17 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #18 for value in biology education this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $26,762. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $44,002. That is a strong return on a $26,762 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $44,850. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #20 among the best values for biology education. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $26,082. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $26,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Buena Vista University earned the #21 position for value in biology education this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,008 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $44,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Mary landed the #22 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $27,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $43,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $46,923. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University came in at #24 for value in biology education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $30,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $34,872. That is a strong return on a $30,175 median debt. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Hamline University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $25,530. Biology Education graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $48,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Biology Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biology education this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
