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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Henry Ford Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. General Biology graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $23,836 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $20,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Mott Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $28,480 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ferris State University earned it the #4 place for general biology. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $26,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
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Lake Superior State University landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $47,910. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $26,707. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,435 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $27,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #9 among the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,932. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $35,216. Set against $24,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University placed #10 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,788. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $21,716. That is a strong return on a $21,788 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $19,882 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,959. That is a strong return on a $26,748 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College landed the #13 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $20,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $32,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Siena Heights University earned the #15 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,778 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 Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Siena Heights University admits about 69% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,166. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $26,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Madonna University landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,440. General Biology graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $46,127. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #19 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $35,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kalamazoo College came in at #20 for value in general biology this year. Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $60,900. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Kalamazoo College generally make around $24,211. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Michigan State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,849. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,435. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Aquinas College Michigan placed #22 among the best values for general biology. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $40,218. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aquinas College Michigan admits about 90% of applicants.
Olivet College earned the #23 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the rural area of Olivet, Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,068. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Olivet College generally make around $34,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Adrian College placed #24 among the best values for general biology. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Adrian College generally make around $43,444. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adrian College admits about 72% of applicants.
Alma College landed the #25 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,552. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Alma College generally make around $42,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alma College admits about 57% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.