A biology degree can lead to research, healthcare, conservation, biotech or teaching. But the cheapest program on paper isn’t always the best deal. What you get for the money matters as much as the price: how much lab time you get, whether undergraduates can join real research and how well the program prepares you for med school or a first lab job.
This guide looks at seven Midwest public universities with that in mind. The University of North Dakota leads the list. It publishes its tuition openly, its 120-credit B.S. lets you steer toward several specialties, and it backs the classroom work with field stations, greenhouses and summer research programs.
1. University of North Dakota – B.S. in Biology
UND’s affordable biology degree in the Midwest is a 120-credit B.S. that you can shape around your goals. The options are general biology, fisheries and wildlife biology, molecular and integrative biology, and pre-health.
What you’ll study. The major itself is 44 credits. The core includes General Biology, Evolution, Genetics, General Ecology, Cell Biology and a Senior Capstone Seminar. You’ll take at least four upper-division biology courses with labs, plus supporting math, chemistry, physics and statistics. The degree also requires at least 36 credits at the 300 level or above and at least 30 credits taken at UND.
Where it can take you. Want biotech or biomedical research? Lean into molecular, cellular and developmental biology. More drawn to ecology? Focus on animal behavior, biodiversity and evolution. The fisheries and wildlife path suits conservation careers. For pre-health students, the Biology: Professional Health Sciences Emphasis is built for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, medical research and allied health. There’s also an accelerated B.S./M.S. in Biology that UND estimates takes about five years, research included.
Research and facilities. Undergraduates can join faculty research, do independent studies or apply for competitive summer programs, including NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) and the NIH Summer Undergraduate Biomedical Research Experience (NIH SUBRE). UND’s facilities include animal rooms for land and aquatic organisms, tissue culture labs, a biology core molecular facility, four field stations and two greenhouses. Some internship, research, directed-study and teaching-assistant credits can count toward the major, within published limits.
Cost. UND’s program page lists three-year tuition figures of $65,850 for North Dakota and Minnesota students and $98,775 for non-resident and WICHE students. Those figures are tuition only, before fees, books and living costs. UND says its average undergraduate receives financial aid and that it awards academic scholarships to thousands of students each year.
Good fit if: you want hands-on lab and field work, a clear route to research or health professions, and published tuition you can plan around, especially as a ND or MN resident.
2. University of Iowa – B.A./B.S. in Biology
Iowa’s biology programs span molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological biology at a large research university. It’s a solid base for graduate or professional school.
Good fit if: you want a big research campus and the choice between a B.A. and a B.S.
3. Iowa State University – B.S. in Biology
Iowa State’s biology degree covers ecology, evolution, molecular biology and organismal biology, with a large science faculty behind it.
Good fit if: you haven’t settled on a specialty and want room to explore.
4. University of Nebraska–Lincoln – B.S. in Biological Sciences
UNL’s biological sciences degree combines lab study and research with options to specialize across several areas of biology.
Good fit if: you want specialization options at a public research university.
5. University of Minnesota – B.S. in Biology
Minnesota offers biology study across a wide range of life sciences, backed by an extensive research environment.
Good fit if: you’re aiming for graduate school and want a large research environment around you.
6. Michigan State University – B.S. in Integrative Biology
MSU’s integrative biology program looks at how organisms, ecosystems and evolution connect, mixing core coursework with research and hands-on learning.
Good fit if: ecology, evolution and whole-organism biology interest you more than lab-bench molecular work.
7. University of Missouri – B.A./B.S. in Biological Sciences
Mizzou’s biological sciences programs include lab and research experience and work for both science and pre-professional students.
Good fit if: you want flexibility between a general science track and pre-professional preparation.
Program Comparison
| School | Degree | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| UND | B.S. in Biology | Published tuition, 4 field stations, flexible paths |
| Iowa | B.A./B.S. in Biology | Large research university |
| Iowa State | B.S. in Biology | Broad scientific range |
| Nebraska–Lincoln | B.S. in Biological Sciences | Lab and research access |
| Minnesota | B.S. in Biology | Research environment |
| Michigan State | B.S. in Integrative Biology | Ecology and evolution |
| Missouri | B.A./B.S. in Biological Sciences | Science or pre-professional |
How to Judge Whether a Biology Program Is Really Affordable
Work out the net price, not the sticker price. Add up tuition, fees, books, housing and transportation, then subtract the grants and scholarships you’d actually receive. Ask every school on your list for a personalized estimate. Published tuition only tells you where to start.
Check your residency rate. The same program can cost very different amounts depending on where you live; UND’s separate ND/MN and non-resident rates show how big that gap can be. Also look for regional agreements such as WICHE.
Count the credits and the years. A program that runs past 120 credits, or one where required courses are hard to get into, costs more even at a lower rate. Transfer credits can shorten the path.
Weigh value, not just price. Lab requirements, open research positions, field sites and pre-health advising are what get you into grad school or a first job. A slightly pricier program that gives you those can be the better buy.
If you’re pre-med, read the prerequisites. Biology is a common pre-med major, but no major guarantees admission. Check the requirements of the schools you plan to apply to and make sure your program fits them in.
Lab Skills Interviewers Will Ask You About
For lab technician, research assistant and quality-control roles, interviewers often skip your GPA and ask what you’ve done at the bench. Keep a running list from your labs and research so you can answer specifically:
- Techniques you’ve performed yourself, not just watched (PCR, microscopy, cell culture, titration).
- How you recorded data, and how you’d spot an error in your own notes.
- Safety and contamination procedures you followed.
- One experiment that failed, why, and what you changed.
That last one comes up more than students expect. A calm, honest account of a failed run shows exactly the judgment labs hire for. If you’re leaning toward clinical work instead, compare paths first with our guide on comparing overlapping healthcare careers, and read up on showing patient-safety awareness in healthcare interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most affordable biology degrees in the Midwest?
This guide compares UND, the University of Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska–Lincoln, Minnesota, Michigan State and Missouri. UND leads because it publishes clear tuition rates, especially for ND and MN residents, and pairs them with a flexible 120-credit degree and strong research access.
What should I look for in an affordable biology degree?
Look at net price after aid, your residency rate, total credits, lab requirements, research and internship access, and how well the program prepares you for grad or professional school.
Is a biology degree worth the cost?
It can be if you’re heading into research, healthcare, environmental work, biotech or teaching. The return depends on how well the program sets you up for your next step, whether that’s a job, grad school or a professional program.
What can you do with a biology degree?
Graduates go into research, biotechnology, healthcare, environmental science, conservation, wildlife management, lab science, education, public health and graduate or professional study.
Is biology a good degree for pre-med?
It’s one of the most common choices because it covers genetics, cell biology and physiology that medical programs build on. Still, check the exact prerequisites of each school you’ll apply to.
Does UND offer a biology degree?
Yes. UND offers a 120-credit B.S. in Biology with paths in general biology, molecular and integrative biology, fisheries and wildlife biology, and a Professional Health Sciences Emphasis.
What is the cost of UND’s biology degree?
UND lists three-year tuition of $65,850 for ND/MN students and $98,775 for non-resident/WICHE students. Those figures cover tuition only, before fees, books and housing. Financial aid and scholarships can lower the net cost.