by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology education students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #1 spot for value among biology education schools in Minnesota. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $30,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $29,000. 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.
Students looking for strong value in biology education will find it at Concordia University Saint Paul, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $29,026. 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. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Minnesota State University Moorhead one of the best values for biology education. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. 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%.
Winona State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $26,762 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $44,002. Set against $26,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #6 spot for biology education value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Hamline University landed the #7 spot for biology education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $48,679. Set against $25,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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St Catherine University placed #8 among the best values for biology education. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the biology education program here. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $60,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #9 among the best values for biology education. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,778. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $26,755 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $60,431. Set against $26,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #10 position for value in biology education this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $22,250. Early-career biology education graduates make about $61,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.