2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Kentucky
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Kentucky
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
Northern Kentucky University earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in Kentucky. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $38,970 early in their careers. Set against $23,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Berea College one of the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $26,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #3 place for general biology. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $24,475 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,914. That is a strong return on a $24,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kentucky State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,387 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,250. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,672. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Morehead State University earned the #6 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,250. General Biology graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $22,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western Kentucky University placed #7 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $32,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,318 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,786. That is a strong return on a $20,318 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Georgetown College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,840. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Georgetown College generally make around $43,752. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown College admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,250. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pikeville College earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,850 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,128 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,699. Set against $21,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lindsey Wilson College placed #12 among the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,808. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,808. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Louisville earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $20,681 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $27,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Alice Lloyd College earned the #14 position for value in general biology this year. Alice Lloyd College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Pippa Passes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,960. Median earnings reach $40,573 ten years out. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Centre College placed #15 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,327. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Thomas More College placed #16 among the best values for general biology. Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Crestview Hills. Students from in state pay about $39,025 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $23,426. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Transylvania University earned the #17 position for value in general biology this year. Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,870. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Transylvania University generally make around $45,208. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bellarmine University landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $48,770. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Bellarmine University generally make around $29,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
