2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Massachusetts
[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 65 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Massachusetts
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
Leading the list is Bunker Hill Community College, our #1 best value for general biology in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,239. Early-career general biology graduates make about $44,682. Set against $6,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Holyoke Community College one of the best values for general biology. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. General Biology graduates carry a median of $5,300 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williams College earned it the #4 place for general biology. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,454 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Williams College earn a median of $41,213 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Bristol Community College, which ranked #5. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,897. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Worcester State University came in at #6 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,625. General Biology graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $44,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $74,161 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Quinsigamond Community College earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. 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. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $46,631. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $9,707 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $42,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Framingham State University landed the #10 spot for general biology value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,999 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Amherst College placed #11 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,398. Early-career general biology graduates make about $59,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Bay Path College came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,302. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $40,964. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.
Fitchburg State University placed #13 among the best values for general biology. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. 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, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,000. General Biology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $42,721 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University landed the #15 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $44,626. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Salem State University landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. 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. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #17 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Students borrow a median of $26,747 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $59,580 early in their careers. Set against $26,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Westfield State University placed #19 among the best values for general biology. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #20 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $40,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $41,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,614 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Wellesley College earned the #22 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,159 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,621. Set against $10,159 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms came in at #23 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,325. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $44,875 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants.
Gordon College earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,700. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,436, while out-of-state students pay about $21,381. Students borrow a median of $25,453 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts generally make around $43,195. Set against $25,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general biology value ranking:
More General Biology Rankings
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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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
