Skip to main content

Best Value Biological/Biosystems Engineering Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

University of Arizona graduates in Biological/Biosystems Engineering earn $63,005 annually, the highest among these programs, while maintaining an 86.76% acceptance rate that makes admission accessible. This contrasts sharply with University of Florida, where students pay just $6,351 net cost but earn $46,087 after graduation. The field has gained momentum as biotechnology companies across the Southwest and Southeast expand operations, creating demand for engineers who can bridge biology and technology. Utah State offers the lowest debt burden at $12,946, while Cornell commands $32,337 in net costs but delivers a 95.10% graduation rate. Public programs dominate this list, with 13 of 15 schools offering in-state advantages that private institutions like Wentworth simply cannot match at $34,170 net cost.
15
Programs
$6,351 – $34,170
Net Price Range
$47,836
Avg. Program Earnings
75.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Biological/Biosystems Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,351 $46,087 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
2 $15,960 $63,005 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
3 $12,869 $42,682 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
4 $17,424 $45,864 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
5 $17,525 $41,565 $9,748 70.0% 78.9%
6 $19,889 $46,321 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
7 $23,897 $49,331 $12,536 79.2% 43.7%
8 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
9 $29,240 $21,186 79.4% 58.0%
10 $13,816 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
11 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
12 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
13 $34,170 $41,010 68.6% 92.3%
14 $13,584 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
15 $32,337 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Arizona stand out for biological engineering value?

Arizona graduates earn $63,005 annually, significantly above the $46,000 average for most programs on this list. The 86.76% acceptance rate provides reasonable admission chances compared to highly selective options like Cornell at 7.47%. Students pay $15,960 net cost, positioning the program in the middle range while delivering top-tier earnings outcomes.

How do debt levels vary across these biological engineering programs?

Utah State graduates carry just $12,946 in debt, the lowest among schools reporting this data. Auburn students face $25,747 in debt despite strong $49,331 earnings, while Missouri graduates owe $23,000. UC San Diego keeps debt at $18,716 while maintaining an 87.60% graduation rate, showing that California public education can control costs effectively.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in biological engineering?

Cornell accepts only 7.47% of applicants yet achieves a 95.10% graduation rate, the highest on this list. However, University of Florida admits 23.35% while still maintaining 91.50% graduation rates at $6,351 net cost. Utah State accepts 93.73% of students but graduates just 57.30%, suggesting admission selectivity and completion rates follow different patterns.

Where do in-state students find the best biological engineering deals?

Florida residents pay just $6,381 in tuition, making it the most affordable option by far. Idaho charges $8,816 for residents, while Utah State costs $9,228 in-state. Arkansas residents pay $9,748, creating a clear advantage over out-of-state costs that can exceed $30,000 at these same institutions.

More Biological/Biosystems Engineering Rankings

Cheapest Biological/Biosystems Engineering Biological/Biosystems Engineering Under $20,000

Related

All Biological/Biosystems Engineering Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.