2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Tennessee
[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 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Leading the list is Middle Tennessee State University, our #1 best value for general biology in Tennessee. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,500. General Biology graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $35,986 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. General Biology graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $29,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #4 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,900. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Tennessee Technological University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,500. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,087. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences came in at #6 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,796. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $57,349 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Tennessee State University came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. General Biology graduates carry a median of $29,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $30,672. Set against $29,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Le Moyne Owen College landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. Le Moyne Owen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,076. Median earnings reach $35,594 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $52,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,625. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $28,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,215 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $24,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Martin Methodist College placed #13 among the best values for general biology. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. In-state tuition and fees average $10,924. Students borrow a median of $23,308 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Martin Methodist College admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,579. General Biology graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $27,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,579 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,938. Students borrow a median of $17,723 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $64,307 early in their careers. Set against $17,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Lane College came in at #16 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $11,790 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $34,280 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lane College generally make around $26,754. That is a strong return on a $34,280 median debt.
Vanderbilt University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,975. General Biology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,620. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,750. General Biology graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Maryville College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Maryville, Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,284 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,428. General Biology graduates of Maryville College earn a median of $42,971 early in their careers. Set against $26,428 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
King College landed the #20 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,397. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,579 in student loans. General Biology graduates of King College earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,579 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Tusculum College came in at #21 for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,278. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Tusculum College generally make around $47,624. Set against $25,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Southern Adventist University landed the #22 spot for general biology value this year. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,300. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $61,366. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College earned the #23 position for value in general biology this year. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,110. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,465. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $20,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Fisk University earned the #25 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Fisk University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,858. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,310 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Fisk University earn a median of $38,089 early in their careers. Set against $26,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general biology value ranking:
More General Biology Rankings
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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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
