by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general biology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general biology, no school beat St Charles Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,305 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $31,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #3. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $40,483. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $31,149. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Moberly Area Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $44,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,400. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Jefferson College earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $46,660. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,935 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $40,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $33,761. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,519. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,420. That is a strong return on a $21,519 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $37,983. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Harris Stowe State University earned the #14 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $31,600 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,600 median debt.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $34,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Park University placed #16 among the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Park University generally make around $52,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,552. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $34,717. Set against $25,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Avila University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Avila University generally make around $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Logan University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Chesterfield, Logan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,000. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $49,628. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College came in at #20 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,700. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Missouri Valley College earn a median of $44,318 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Fontbonne University landed the #21 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,976 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $33,503. General Biology graduates of Fontbonne University earn a median of $46,039 early in their careers. Set against $33,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $46,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Lindenwood University earned the #23 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $30,486 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Evangel University earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #25 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,500. General Biology graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $41,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
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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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
