2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 191 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general biology schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Southwest Region
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 Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in general biology in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,160. Early-career general biology graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,602 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $28,791. Set against $6,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #3 place for general biology. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,411. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,084. That is a strong return on a $17,411 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #4 place for general biology. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,017. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Set against $9,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,375. General Biology graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $34,560 early in their careers. Set against $13,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
El Paso Community College came in at #10 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. General Biology graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $17,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $11,110. General Biology graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,950. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $24,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Juan College came in at #14 for value in general biology this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,150. General Biology graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #15 position for value in general biology this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $18,660. Early-career general biology graduates make about $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. General Biology graduates carry a median of $8,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,087. That is a strong return on a $8,632 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Socorro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. Set against $18,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $26,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #19 spot for general biology value this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #20 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,526. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Lamar Institute Of Technology came in at #21 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $14,278. Early-career general biology graduates make about $50,068. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College earned the #22 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $11,005 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $24,621 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,005 median debt.
Temple College came in at #23 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,617. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
South Plains College landed the #24 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. General Biology graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College came in at #25 for value in general biology this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,862. Students borrow a median of $12,302 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general biology this year:
Narrow General Biology Schools by State
More General Biology Rankings
View All General Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 191 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 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.
