by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) 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 258 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. General Biology graduates carry a median of $7,611 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $15,731. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Reedley College earned it the #3 place for general biology. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #4. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Skyline College one of the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
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College Of San Mateo placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Cerritos College came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College landed the #10 spot for general biology value this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Fresno City College landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $22,741. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College earned the #12 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. General Biology graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #13 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,776. Early-career general biology graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
West Valley College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #15 spot for general biology value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $43,075. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Golden West College landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,500. Early-career general biology graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #19 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. General Biology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #20 for value in general biology this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #21 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $16,043 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,479. Set against $16,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #22 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $10,288. General Biology graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
California State University Fullerton earned the #23 position for value in general biology this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $67,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mission College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. General Biology graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #25 spot for general biology value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for general biology this year:
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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 · 258 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 94 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.