by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 60 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general biology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Snow College earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,211 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $24,557. Set against $11,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $38,427. Set against $19,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Laramie County Community College, which ranked #4. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. In-state tuition and fees average $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,309. General Biology graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $51,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,309 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #5 place for general biology. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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College Of Southern Idaho placed #6 among the best values for general biology. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $11,175. General Biology graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $39,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $20,993 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,963.
Utah State University earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $29,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Southern Utah University landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Utah landed the #10 spot for general biology value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming came in at #11 for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,000. General Biology graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $33,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,829. General Biology graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $38,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,250. General Biology graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $39,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Adams State College came in at #14 for value in general biology this year. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,523 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $48,101. Set against $25,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #15 spot for general biology value this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $29,587 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #16 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,697 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $35,979. That is a strong return on a $13,697 median debt.
Montana State University Billings ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $48,764. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,289, compared with $26,094 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,962. Early-career general biology graduates make about $68,773. Set against $23,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #19 spot for general biology value this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,425. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,374. Set against $23,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Mesa State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $32,565. Set against $27,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western State College Of Colorado earned the #21 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,973. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $29,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
Idaho State University placed #22 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,866. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
The University Of Montana placed #23 among the best values for general biology. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,718. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $43,914. Set against $26,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College came in at #24 for value in general biology this year. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,761 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $26,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,761 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #25 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,663. General Biology graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $38,449 early in their careers. Set against $24,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
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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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
