General Biology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 388 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general biology students pursuing a degree.
Davidson College tops our 2026 ranking of the best general biology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Davidson. About 91% of students finish within six years. Davidson College awarded about 81 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $39,602. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
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Duke University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 220 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $30,229. Duke University graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans.
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The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general biology, ranking #3. Located in the city of Memphis, The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a mid-sized public university. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center awarded about 23 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $86,386 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center graduates carry a median of $25,679 in student loans.
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Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general biology, ranking #4. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 46 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 Medical University Of South Carolina, which ranked #5. 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. Students who receive their general biology degree from Medical University Of South Carolina earn around $89,719 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,043 to complete this degree.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #6 for general biology this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. About 457 general biology degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $36,157 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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Washington And Lee University placed #7 among the best general biology schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Washington And Lee University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Washington And Lee University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $76,810. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete this degree.
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University Of Richmond landed the #8 spot for general biology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 general biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $36,300 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,064.
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Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #9 position for general biology this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 75 general biology degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Tulane University Of Louisiana earn around $54,082 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,875 to complete this degree.
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Clemson University placed #10 among the best general biology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 419 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Clemson University earn around $45,741 in the first couple years of their career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #11 position for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 581 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $33,471 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,100 to complete this degree.
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Belmont University came in at #12 for general biology this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 70% of students finish within six years. Belmont University awarded about 42 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $49,699 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447.
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Wake Forest University earned the #13 position for general biology this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 109 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Wake Forest University earn around $37,438 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,612 to complete this degree.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #14 position for general biology this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 271 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $23,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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College Of William And Mary came in at #15 for general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 179 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $29,851 early in their careers. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $16,681 in student loans.
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Auburn University earned the #16 position for general biology this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Auburn University awarded about 380 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $44,498 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750.
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Samford University came in at #17 for general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Samford University awarded about 12 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039.
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University Of Florida earned the #18 position for general biology this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 577 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $24,713 early in their careers. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $16,536 in student loans.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #19 spot for general biology this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 339 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $28,239 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
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George Mason University landed the #20 spot for general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 368 general biology degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $35,983. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete this degree.
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Elon University earned the #21 position for general biology this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Elon University awarded about 62 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Elon University earn a median of $32,683 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,125.
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Emory University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 278 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Emory University earn a median of $43,707 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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High Point University came in at #23 for general biology this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 general biology degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785.
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James Madison University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 185 general biology students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $40,046. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
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University Of Mary Washington placed #25 among the best general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 83 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $35,194 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,567.
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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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 388 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).
