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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Arkansas

11 Colleges in the United States
$21,818 Avg Student Debt
$44,862 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 21 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.

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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Arkansas

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

Best Value General Biology Schools

1

Leading the list is East Arkansas Community College, our #1 best value for general biology in Arkansas. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $4,380 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $8,110. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $42,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned it the #2 place for general biology. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. General Biology graduates carry a median of $17,081 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $26,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

3
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,640 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

4

University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,375, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $26,612. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff admits about 41% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Arkansas State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

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University Of The Ozarks crest
University Of The Ozarks
Clarksville, AR

University Of The Ozarks placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Clarksville, University Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,950. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of The Ozarks earn a median of $27,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

7

University Of Arkansas At Monticello earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $41,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8
Philander Smith College crest
Philander Smith College
Little Rock, AR

Philander Smith College placed #8 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Little Rock, Philander Smith College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,014. Students borrow a median of $38,630 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Philander Smith College generally make around $27,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $26,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #10 spot for general biology value this year. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,329 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $32,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.

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University Of Central Arkansas earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,770. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,390. That is a strong return on a $19,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

12

Henderson State University came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, compared with $10,620 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $40,131. Set against $23,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas came in at #13 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,061. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.

14

Harding University earned the #14 position for value in general biology this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,629. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

15
John Brown University crest
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,756 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,216 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $50,420. Set against $25,216 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Ouachita Baptist University earned the #16 position for value in general biology this year. Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Arkadelphia. Students from in state pay about $34,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,447. General Biology graduates of Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of $35,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

17
Lyon College crest
Lyon College
Batesville, AR

Lyon College earned the #17 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Batesville, Lyon College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,232. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

18
Hendrix College crest
Hendrix College
Conway, AR

Hendrix College landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Hendrix College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,200. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Hendrix College earn a median of $27,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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