General Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1781 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general biology students pursuing a degree.
Johns Hopkins University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general biology schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 579 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $153,622 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
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A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for general biology. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong general biology program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 general biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree.
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Roseman University Of Health Sciences came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the city of Henderson, Roseman University Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roseman University Of Health Sciences awarded about 30 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $108,809 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,448.
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Students looking for a strong general biology program will find one at New York University, which ranked #5. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 405 general biology students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from New York University generally make around $69,912. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree.
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Loma Linda University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 11 general biology degrees were awarded at Loma Linda University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $93,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,094.
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San Jose State University earned the #7 position for general biology this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 44 general biology degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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Stanford University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
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San Francisco State University landed the #9 spot for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 57 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $36,259. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
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Purdue University Main Campus placed #10 among the best general biology schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $40,145. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,380 in student loans.
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University Of Chicago placed #11 among the best general biology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 194 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $35,275 in their early career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $40,935 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,892 to complete this degree.
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California State University Sacramento came in at #13 for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 general biology students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $59,935. Students borrow a median of $15,019 to complete this degree.
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Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences earned the #14 position for general biology this year. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences awarded about 59 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences earn a median of $73,671 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,056 to complete this degree.
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Harvard University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 31 general biology degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $74,161 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
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Washington University In St Louis landed the #16 spot for general biology this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 19 general biology degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $57,242 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans.
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Medical University Of South Carolina came in at #17 for general biology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Charleston. Medical University Of South Carolina awarded about 19 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Medical University Of South Carolina earn a median of $89,719 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,043 to complete this degree.
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Auburn University landed the #18 spot for general biology this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $66,864 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree.
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Georgetown University placed #19 among the best general biology schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 24 general biology degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $37,196 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
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University Of California San Diego landed the #20 spot for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 93 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their general biology degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $44,139 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,667 in student loans.
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Tufts University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 94 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $42,668 in their early career. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans.
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Duke University landed the #22 spot for general biology this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. About 52 general biology degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Duke University earn around $29,519 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,500.
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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso placed #23 among the best general biology schools. This small public university is located in the city of El Paso. About 19 general biology degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso earn a median of $67,322 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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California State University Fullerton landed the #24 spot for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 12 general biology degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $67,422 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston awarded about 20 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earn around $101,165 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,988.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Biology Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general biology this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1781 schools evaluated.
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).
