2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Indiana
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Indiana University Northwest tops our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools in Indiana. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,434. General Biology graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $11,889. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $35,828. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general biology. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,380 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $40,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,500. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Indiana University Southeast placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,890 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $35,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $43,656. Set against $21,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,696 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $42,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,696 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Purdue University Northwest landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,155. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #10 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $38,985 early in their careers. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $38,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $39,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Indianapolis placed #13 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $39,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Evansville ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,172. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,234. Early-career general biology graduates make about $59,618. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Evansville admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne came in at #15 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earn a median of $57,192 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne admits about 96% of applicants.
Valparaiso University earned the #16 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,450. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Wabash College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,800. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Wabash College generally make around $40,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Hanover College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Hanover, Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,698 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Hanover College generally make around $31,321. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Franklin College came in at #19 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Franklin College earn a median of $30,969 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana Wesleyan University earned the #20 position for value in general biology this year. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,352. General Biology graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $36,161. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Marian University Indiana earned the #21 position for value in general biology this year. Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $40,664 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,938. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marian University Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Taylor University came in at #22 for value in general biology this year. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $45,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Earlham College earned the #23 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,038. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Trine University earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,560. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $39,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Holy Cross College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,600. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,586. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Holy Cross College generally make around $33,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Holy Cross College admits about 75% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general biology value ranking:
More General Biology Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
