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2026 Best Value General Biology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

883 Colleges in the United States
$21,606 Avg Student Debt
$53,414 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Biology Bachelor's Degree Badge [General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1781 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Biology Schools

1
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $30,257. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for general biology. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $67,422. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for general biology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $37,834 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

4
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for general biology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $12,348 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,324. Set against $12,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for general biology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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California State University Stanislaus placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,101 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,358. Set against $15,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

7
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,536. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $24,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

8

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $26,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

9

Cuny Lehman College landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $33,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

10

Cuny Queens College earned the #10 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,777. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

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California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,043 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

12

Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

13

California State University San Bernardino placed #13 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $31,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

14

California State University Northridge earned the #14 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $29,506. Set against $15,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

15

California State University Fresno landed the #15 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,853 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $27,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

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California State University Long Beach came in at #16 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,000. General Biology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

17

Texas A And M International University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,411. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,084. That is a strong return on a $17,411 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

18

Dalton State College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,323 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $30,839 early in their careers. Set against $10,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $26,768. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

20

California State University Bakersfield placed #20 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

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Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #21 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,350. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $28,217. That is a strong return on a $19,350 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

22

Utah Valley University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,200. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $38,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #23 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Students borrow a median of $13,980 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $39,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,980 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

24

Miami Dade College came in at #24 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

California State University Sacramento came in at #25 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,019 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $37,192. That is a strong return on a $15,019 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general biology this year:

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30
31
32
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
33
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35
36
37
38
39
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
40
41
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43
44
Berea College crest
Berea College
Berea, KY
45
46
47
48
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL
49
50

Rest of the Top 15% Best Value General Biology Schools

These institutions also earned high marks for general biology value:

Rank College Location
#51 Stanford University Stanford, CA Full Report
#52 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Full Report
#53 The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin Odessa, TX Full Report
#54 University Of South Florida Main Campus Tampa, FL Full Report
#55 Florida International University Miami, FL Full Report
#56 Millikin University Decatur, IL Full Report
#57 Florida State College At Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL Full Report
#58 California State Polytechnic University Pomona Pomona, CA Full Report
#59 University Of Illinois At Springfield Springfield, IL Full Report
#60 University Of North Florida Jacksonville, FL Full Report
#61 University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras San Juan, PR Full Report
#62 Suny College At Old Westbury Old Westbury, NY Full Report
#63 University Of California Merced Merced, CA Full Report
#64 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Full Report
#65 University Of Central Florida Orlando, FL Full Report
#66 Louisiana State University Alexandria Alexandria, LA Full Report
#67 University Of Nevada Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV Full Report
#68 Marshall University Huntington, WV Full Report
#69 University Of Missouri Kansas City Kansas City, MO Full Report
#70 Murray State University Murray, KY Full Report
#71 San Jose State University San Jose, CA Full Report
#72 University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Full Report
#73 Purdue University Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Full Report
#74 University Of California Irvine Irvine, CA Full Report
#75 University Of Illinois At Chicago Chicago, IL Full Report
#76 University Of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Full Report
#77 East Central University Ada, OK Full Report
#78 University Of The Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie, VI Full Report
#79 University Of Washington Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Full Report
#80 Texas Womans University Denton, TX Full Report
#81 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA Full Report
#82 University Of Houston Clear Lake Houston, TX Full Report
#83 University Of California Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Full Report
#84 Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Full Report
#85 University Of North Carolina At Greensboro Greensboro, NC Full Report
#86 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL Full Report
#87 Truman State University Kirksville, MO Full Report
#88 University Of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK Full Report
#89 University Of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA Full Report
#90 Governors State University University Park, IL Full Report
#91 Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Full Report
#92 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Full Report
#93 University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma Chickasha, OK Full Report
#94 Utah State University Logan, UT Full Report
#95 Universidad Del Turabo Gurabo, PR Full Report
#96 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Full Report
#97 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC Full Report
#98 Rhode Island College Providence, RI Full Report
#99 University Of Louisiana Monroe Monroe, LA Full Report
#100 The University Of Texas At El Paso El Paso, TX Full Report
#101 Morehead State University Morehead, KY Full Report
#102 University Of The Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY Full Report
#103 The University Of Texas At San Antonio San Antonio, TX Full Report
#104 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Full Report
#105 Kean University Union, NJ Full Report
#106 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA Full Report
#107 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Full Report
#108 University Of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Full Report
#109 Mcneese State University Lake Charles, LA Full Report
#110 University Of Mississippi Main Campus University, MS Full Report
#111 University Of Southern Maine Portland, ME Full Report
#112 University Of Michigan Dearborn Dearborn, MI Full Report
#113 Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN Full Report
#114 University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon Bayamon, PR Full Report
#115 New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ Full Report
#116 Arizona State University Tempe, AZ Full Report
#117 Indiana University Southeast New Albany, IN Full Report
#118 Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MO Full Report
#119 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Full Report
#120 University Of California Berkeley Berkeley, CA Full Report
#121 Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT Full Report
#122 Augustana College Illinois Rock Island, IL Full Report
#123 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL Full Report
#124 The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Full Report
#125 University Of Nebraska At Omaha Omaha, NE Full Report
#126 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC Full Report
#127 Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN Full Report
#128 University Of Missouri St Louis Saint Louis, MO Full Report
#129 Saint Peters College Jersey City, NJ Full Report
#130 Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV Full Report
#131 Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus Atlanta, GA Full Report
#132 The University Of Tennessee Martin Martin, TN Full Report
#133 Cameron University Lawton, OK Full Report

Honorable Mentions

A few more high-value general biology schools worth a look:

Rank College Location
#134 Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla Aguadilla, PR Full Report
#135 Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Full Report
#136 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN Full Report
#137 Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL Full Report
#138 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL Full Report
#139 University Of Wisconsin Parkside Kenosha, WI Full Report
#140 Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, OK Full Report
#141 Holy Family University Philadelphia, PA Full Report
#142 Minot State University Minot, ND Full Report
#143 Concord University Athens, WV Full Report
#144 Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR Full Report
#145 Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL Full Report
#146 University Of California Riverside Riverside, CA Full Report
#147 Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, OK Full Report
#148 University Of Arkansas Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR Full Report
#149 Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, GA Full Report
#150 University Of North Carolina At Pembroke Pembroke, NC Full Report
#151 University Of North Alabama Florence, AL Full Report
#152 Humboldt State University Arcata, CA Full Report
#153 University Of Georgia Athens, GA Full Report
#154 University Of Hawaii At Hilo Hilo, HI Full Report
#155 University Of Wyoming Laramie, WY Full Report
#156 University Of Guam Mangilao, GU Full Report
#157 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Full Report
#158 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA Full Report
#159 Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY Full Report
#160 University Of California Davis Davis, CA Full Report
#161 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS Full Report
#162 University Of New Orleans New Orleans, LA Full Report
#163 University Of Puerto Rico Cayey Cayey, PR Full Report
#164 Young Harris College Young Harris, GA Full Report
#165 University Of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SC Full Report
#166 University Of Houston Houston, TX Full Report
#167 Williams College Williamstown, MA Full Report
#168 University Of New Hampshire At Manchester Manchester, NH Full Report
#169 Heritage University Toppenish, WA Full Report
#170 Louisiana State University Shreveport Shreveport, LA Full Report
#171 Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington, IN Full Report
#172 University Of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN Full Report
#173 Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo Arecibo, PR Full Report
#174 Texas A And M University Commerce Commerce, TX Full Report
#175 University Of Puerto Rico Ponce Ponce, PR Full Report
#176 Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA Full Report
#177 University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Full Report

Other General Biology Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Biology rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Biology
Associate's Degrees in General Biology
Master's Degrees in General Biology
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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 1781 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 883 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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