2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Florida

[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 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Florida
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general biology in Florida. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,536 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $24,713. Set against $16,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $24,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #3 place for general biology. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,568. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indian River State College earned it the #4 place for general biology. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,400 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,537. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,708. That is a strong return on a $17,537 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
St Petersburg College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $40,916 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,741. That is a strong return on a $40,916 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,443. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,034. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $18,500. General Biology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,237 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #10 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $21,529. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #11 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,250. General Biology graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $26,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $29,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #13 among the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,900. General Biology graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $30,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University earned the #14 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,517. General Biology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned the #15 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $28,125 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,012. That is a strong return on a $28,125 median debt. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
Saint Leo University earned the #16 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,677 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $28,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Edward Waters College landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Edward Waters College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,366. Median earnings reach $34,782 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Stetson University placed #18 among the best values for general biology. Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of DeLand. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,410. Students borrow a median of $26,457 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Stetson University generally make around $26,006. Set against $26,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bethune Cookman University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Bethune Cookman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,794. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,459. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethune Cookman University admits about 88% of applicants.
Barry University placed #20 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,350 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,150. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $72,608. That is a strong return on a $25,619 median debt. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants.
Saint Thomas University placed #22 among the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Miami Gardens, Saint Thomas University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,955. Early-career general biology graduates make about $55,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Florida Southern College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,040. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Florida Southern College generally make around $29,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,750. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $23,110. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
Southeastern University came in at #25 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,950. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,460 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $40,154 early in their careers. Set against $23,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general biology this year:
More General Biology Rankings
View All General Biology Rankings >
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.