by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general biology, no school beat Grinnell College this year. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. General Biology graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $37,170. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $36,286. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #3. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,702. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Coe College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,666 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Coe College earn a median of $41,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
Clarke University placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,910. Students borrow a median of $26,895 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Clarke University earn a median of $53,450 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,895 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $30,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Iowa came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $34,813. Set against $25,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
William Penn University landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Penn University admits about 52% of applicants.
Central College landed the #10 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,988. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Central College generally make around $26,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wartburg College placed #11 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $34,398 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,825. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Morningside College landed the #13 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,519. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $32,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa placed #14 among the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,415. General Biology graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Dordt College landed the #15 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,812. General Biology graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Luther College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $29,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
Drake University placed #17 among the best values for general biology. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,343 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Drake University earn a median of $41,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,343 median debt. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.