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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Southeast Region

226 Colleges in the United States
$24,443 Avg Student Debt
$50,713 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Biology Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 388 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Biology Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,536 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $24,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,536 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #2 place for general biology. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $17,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $32,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

3

Northern Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $14,413. General Biology graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

A rank of #4 makes Dalton State College one of the best values for general biology. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $10,323. General Biology graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $30,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

A rank of #5 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,950. General Biology graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $38,970 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

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6

Miami Dade College earned the #6 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $34,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.

7

University Of Florida Online earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $16,536 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $24,713. That is a strong return on a $16,536 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $27,034 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

9

The University Of West Florida landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. General Biology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,237. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

10

Florida International University earned the #10 position for value in general biology this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $21,529. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

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Indian River State College came in at #11 for value in general biology this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $10,400. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. That is a strong return on a $10,400 median debt.

12

University Of North Florida landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,250. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,964. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

13
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #13 for value in general biology this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,517. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $40,916. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

14

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #14 spot for general biology value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,100. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $33,471. That is a strong return on a $15,100 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

15

Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #15 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.

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16
Berea College crest
Berea College
Berea, KY

Berea College came in at #16 for value in general biology this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $5,801. General Biology graduates of Berea College earn a median of $26,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Central Florida earned the #17 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,900. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $30,041. Set against $21,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

18

East Mississippi Community College came in at #18 for value in general biology this year. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. General Biology graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. General Biology graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Itawamba Community College landed the #19 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.

20

Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,702. Set against $19,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

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21

Murray State University earned the #21 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $24,475 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $25,914. Set against $24,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University landed the #22 spot for general biology value this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,206 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $19,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

23

Holmes Community College came in at #23 for value in general biology this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

East Arkansas Community College came in at #24 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. General Biology graduates carry a median of $8,110 in student loans. General Biology graduates of East Arkansas Community College earn a median of $42,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,110 median debt.

25

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #25 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,914. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,922. Set against $26,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general biology value ranking:

26
27
28
29
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
37
38
Mcneese State University crest
Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA
39
40
41
42
43
44
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV
45
46
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
47
48
49
50
Georgia Gwinnett College crest
Georgia Gwinnett College
Lawrenceville, GA

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Notes and References

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 · 388 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 226 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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