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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

175 Colleges in the United States
16,305 General Biology Degrees Awarded
$38,876 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 287 schools to find the best for general biology students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Biology in the Middle Atlantic Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Biology

1

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. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 632 general biology degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $125,159. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for Johns Hopkins University

2

A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for general biology. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 326 general biology degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. See the full general biology program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Lafayette College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Lafayette College earn around $41,885 in the first couple years of their career. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Get the full general biology details for Lafayette College

4
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 614 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from New York University earn around $50,413 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. Get the full general biology details for New York University

5
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Students looking for a strong general biology program will find one at Skidmore College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Skidmore College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $39,235 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,600. Get the full general biology details for Skidmore College

6
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College landed the #6 spot for general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 31 general biology degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $43,639 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at Hamilton College

7
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 105 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $37,196 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Georgetown University

8
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for general biology this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 181 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $31,055 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $14,047 in student loans. More information about a degree in general biology from University Of Pennsylvania

9

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #9 spot for general biology this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 130 general biology degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $40,935 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $19,892 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

10
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University earned the #10 position for general biology this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 66 general biology degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $45,695. Lehigh University graduates carry a median of $23,128 in student loans. See the full general biology program report for Lehigh University

11

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for general biology this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 137 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. See the full general biology program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

12

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #12 spot for general biology this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 28 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $89,327 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,506 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at Carnegie Mellon University

13

Cornell University landed the #13 spot for general biology this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 283 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $34,500 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000. See the full general biology program report for Cornell University

14

University Of Delaware landed the #14 spot for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. About 82% of students finish within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 178 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $39,746 early in their careers. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $25,261 in student loans. See the full general biology program report for University Of Delaware

15

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #15 spot for general biology this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 456 general biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $30,325 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general biology from University Of Maryland College Park

16

Thomas Jefferson University came in at #16 for general biology this year. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 general biology degrees were awarded at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $64,243 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for Thomas Jefferson University

17
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College landed the #17 spot for general biology this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 93% of students finish within six years. Barnard College awarded about 19 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Barnard College earn around $47,329 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,635. Read more about the general biology program at Barnard College

18
Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College landed the #18 spot for general biology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Haverford. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Haverford College awarded about 33 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full general biology details for Haverford College

19

University Of Rochester landed the #19 spot for general biology this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. About 234 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Students who receive their general biology degree from University Of Rochester earn around $34,390 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. See the full general biology program report for University Of Rochester

20
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo earned the #20 position for general biology this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Suny At Geneseo graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 88 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Geneseo in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $31,060 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Get the full general biology details for Suny At Geneseo

21

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #21 for general biology this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 707 general biology degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $60,565. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans. More information about a degree in general biology from Rutgers University New Brunswick

22

Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai placed #22 among the best general biology schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai awarded about 94 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai earn around $77,434 in the first couple years of their career. More information about a degree in general biology from Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai

23
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University came in at #23 for general biology this year. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Hofstra University earn around $55,705 in the first couple years of their career. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full general biology details for Hofstra University

24
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College placed #24 among the best general biology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Vassar College awarded about 36 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Vassar College earn around $37,802 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at Vassar College

25

University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #25 spot for general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 297 general biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn around $33,055 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Maryland Baltimore County

Rest of the Top 50 General Biology Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general biology this year:

26
27
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
28
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY
29
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
30
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
31
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
32
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
33
34
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Union College New York
Schenectady, NY
35
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
36
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
37
38
39
40
41
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
42
43
44
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
45
46
47
48
49
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA
50

Additional General Biology Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for general biology this year:

Rank School Location
#52 Rutgers University Newark Newark, NJ
#60 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
#62 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY
#71 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
#77 Suny At Albany Albany, NY
#114 St Johns University New York Queens, NY

Honorable Mentions

A few more general biology schools worth a look:

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View All General Biology Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 287 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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