2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in New York
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 106 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in New York
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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in general biology in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $12,598. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $37,834. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $28,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,777 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,375 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,768. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. General Biology graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $37,258. That is a strong return on a $19,350 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #10 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $34,245. Set against $16,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,980 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $39,810 early in their careers. Set against $13,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,241. General Biology graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $26,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,241 median debt.
Nassau Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #15 among the best values for general biology. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,840. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $33,228. Set against $19,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #16 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $12,868. General Biology graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College came in at #17 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny At Geneseo came in at #18 for value in general biology this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $31,060. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #19 for value in general biology this year. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,721 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,831. That is a strong return on a $19,721 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,216 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,834. That is a strong return on a $12,216 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Jamestown Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,800 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #22 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,599 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $30,691 early in their careers. Set against $21,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #23 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,140 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $24,885 early in their careers. Set against $21,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $37,433. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #25 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
More General Biology Rankings
View All General Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
