by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 185 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 California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,611 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,852. Set against $7,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,500. Early-career general biology graduates make about $15,731. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego City College earned it the #3 place for general biology. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General Biology graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Reedley College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,500. General Biology graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
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College Of San Mateo placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general biology program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College placed #8 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Cerritos College landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $11,306. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #10 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Biology graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $22,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the general biology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #12 among the best values for general biology. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College landed the #14 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #15 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Saddleback College landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. 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.
Ventura College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College came in at #19 for value in general biology this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #20 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #21 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,043. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,479. Set against $16,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Pasadena City College landed the #22 spot for general biology value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. General Biology graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #23 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,000. General Biology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $43,075 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Taft College placed #25 among the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Taft, Taft College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,108 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,852. Median earnings reach $38,861 ten years out.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
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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 · 185 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.