2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in the New England Region
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 127 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in the New England Region
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
Bunker Hill Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. That is a strong return on a $11,893 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #2. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. General Biology graduates carry a median of $6,239 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $44,682 early in their careers. Set against $6,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Williams College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $13,454 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $41,213. That is a strong return on a $13,454 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Holyoke Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $5,300. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Worcester State University one of the best values for general biology. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $44,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $74,161. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Capital Community College landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bristol Community College landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College placed #9 among the best values for general biology. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,949 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $39,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester came in at #10 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,838, compared with $36,418 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $45,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,125. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,722. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Springfield Technical Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,904 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,707. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $42,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $46,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amherst College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $59,271 early in their careers. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University placed #15 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,999. General Biology graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $42,472 early in their careers. Set against $24,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Bay Path College came in at #16 for value in general biology this year. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,302. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Fitchburg State University earned the #17 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,250. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #18 for value in general biology this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $42,721. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #19 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,747 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $59,580. That is a strong return on a $26,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Salem State University earned the #20 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $45,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bridgewater State University placed #21 among the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $44,626 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #22 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Farmington ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,308 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,878. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,300. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine At Farmington admits about 97% of applicants.
Bowdoin College earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,658. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. Set against $20,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #25 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $113,129. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general biology this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 68 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.
