2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Virginia

1

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Our analysis ranked Northern Virginia Community College the best value for a degree in general biology in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,625. General Biology graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $35,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

3

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Old Dominion University earned it the #3 place for general biology. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,970 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $28,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

4

Radford University
Radford, VA

A rank of #4 makes Radford University one of the best values for general biology. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Radford University earn a median of $32,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Early-career general biology graduates make about $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.

6

Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA

Virginia Military Institute placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Military Institute admits about 71% of applicants.

7

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,712 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $27,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

8

Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University placed #8 among the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

9

Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA

Randolph College came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,310 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. Randolph College admits about 94% of applicants.

10

Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,187. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $60,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $36,750 in tuition and fees. Early-career general biology graduates make about $107,159. The acceptance rate is 43%.

12

Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,090. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $34,494 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

13

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. General Biology graduates carry a median of $22,567 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,194. That is a strong return on a $22,567 median debt. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.

14

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #14 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,046. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.

15

Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #15 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,500. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of $30,921 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. Virginia Wesleyan College admits about 73% of applicants.

16

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University placed #16 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,946 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $33,686. That is a strong return on a $26,946 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

17

Emory And Henry College
Emory, VA

Emory And Henry College earned the #17 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,000 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

18

Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $30,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

19

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary came in at #19 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,681 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $29,851 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.

20

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $23,395. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.

21

Hollins University
Roanoke, VA

Hollins University came in at #21 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,560. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Hollins University generally make around $27,721. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hollins University admits about 68% of applicants.

22

Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA

Bluefield College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bluefield. In-state tuition and fees average $26,770. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,780. Early-career general biology graduates make about $20,621. Set against $24,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

23

Averett University
Danville, VA

Averett University placed #23 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,550. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $28,595. General Biology graduates of Averett University earn a median of $53,876 early in their careers. Set against $28,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Averett University admits about 57% of applicants.

24

Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA

Sweet Briar College earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the rural area of Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,160. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,943. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

25

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #25 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.