2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 112 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Swarthmore College the best value for a degree in general biology in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $41,122. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,219 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Holy Family University one of the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. General Biology graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $44,567. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington one of the best values for general biology. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,182. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,382. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,250. General Biology graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Philadelphia placed #10 among the best values for general biology. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,059. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,988. That is a strong return on a $16,059 median debt.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,928. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #12 position for value in general biology this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Students from in state pay about $14,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg generally make around $33,576. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford landed the #14 spot for general biology value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bradford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,770, while out-of-state students pay about $26,644. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford admits about 88% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State York came in at #15 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of York, Pennsylvania State University Penn State York is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, while out-of-state students pay about $25,392. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,206. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lycoming College landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,804 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,837. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lycoming College generally make around $32,319. That is a strong return on a $26,837 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #18 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $33,576. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in general biology this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyney, Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,904, with out-of-state students paying around $18,870. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,128.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania came in at #20 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,219 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $41,443. That is a strong return on a $25,219 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,912 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #22 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $38,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Francis University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Loretto. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,388. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Saint Francis University generally make around $25,411. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.
Carlow University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of Carlow University earn a median of $36,211 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
Westminster College Pa ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the rural area of New Wilmington, Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,290 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Westminster College Pa generally make around $27,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
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 ranking is produced 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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
