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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Biology Master’s Degree Schools

158 Colleges in the United States
$22,400 Avg Student Debt
$64,050 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Biology Master's Degree Badge [General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general biology education at a price that pays off.

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

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

1

California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools in the United States. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $67,422. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. 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 $52,845. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,853 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $55,084. Set against $15,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,053. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

5

California State University Northridge came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. 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, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,059 in student loans. General Biology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $49,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,059 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

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California State University Sacramento earned the #6 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,019 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $59,935. Set against $15,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $13,950 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

Florida Atlantic University placed #8 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,537 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $37,739 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

9

University Of Houston Victoria came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $20,526 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $20,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.

10
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #10 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of California San Diego placed #11 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,667. General Biology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $44,139 early in their careers. Set against $17,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

12
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #12 among the best values for general biology. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,517. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

13

Florida International University earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,000. General Biology graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $21,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

14

The University Of West Florida placed #14 among the best values for general biology. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $18,500. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,237. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

15

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,312 in student loans. General Biology graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $26,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

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San Francisco State University landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $36,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $27,034. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

18

California State University East Bay landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $44,370. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

19

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $35,334. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

20

University Of North Florida ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $26,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

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Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #21 spot for general biology value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $59,399. Set against $19,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.

22

San Jose State University placed #22 among the best values for general biology. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

23
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University came in at #23 for value in general biology this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,206 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $19,955. That is a strong return on a $25,206 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

24

University Of Central Florida placed #24 among the best values for general biology. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,900. General Biology graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $36,371 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,900 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

25

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% 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:

26
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN
27
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31
32
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35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
43
44
University Of Guam crest
University Of Guam
Mangilao, GU
45
46
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49
50

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
Bachelor's Degrees in General Biology
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View All General Biology Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 1781 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 158 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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