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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 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 Utah. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #3 place for general biology. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,200. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $38,427. That is a strong return on a $19,200 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Southern Utah University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,750. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
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University Of Utah landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $39,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #7 among the best values for general biology. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,697. General Biology graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $35,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westminster College Utah landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. Westminster College Utah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,528. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Westminster College Utah generally make around $40,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.