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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Biology Schools in the The Plains States Region

86 Colleges in the United States
5,477 General Biology Degrees Awarded
$40,060 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 204 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general biology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Biology in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general biology education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in General Biology

1

Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 school for general biology. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 313 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $36,136. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grinnell. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell College in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $37,170 early in their careers. Grinnell College graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full general biology details for Grinnell College

3

Students looking for a strong general biology program will find one at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #3. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 115 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $41,084 in their early career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general biology from Washington University In St Louis

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the top schools for general biology. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 175 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Students who receive their general biology degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $40,483 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for University Of Missouri Kansas City

5

Students looking for a strong general biology program will find one at Winona State University, which ranked #5. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 67 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $38,666 early in their careers. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $22,665 in student loans. Get the full general biology details for Winona State University

6
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College earned the #6 position for general biology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 81 general biology degrees were awarded at St Olaf College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $36,429. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. See the full general biology program report for St Olaf College

7

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #7 among the best general biology schools. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $69,785. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

8

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #8 for general biology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 89 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $36,072 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,970. Read more about the general biology program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

9
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

University Of Mary earned the #9 position for general biology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Bismarck. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 12 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of Mary in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Mary

10

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #10 spot for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 282 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $46,272. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $23,188 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Missouri Columbia

11

University Of Northern Iowa earned the #11 position for general biology this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. About 59 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $36,286. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Northern Iowa

12

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #12 position for general biology this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 129 general biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $31,891. Typical student debt for the program is $24,684. Get the full general biology details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

13
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #13 among the best general biology schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 28 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $36,131. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general biology from University Of Kansas

14

University Of North Dakota earned the #14 position for general biology this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 76 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $28,056. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for University Of North Dakota

15

Iowa State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 218 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $30,702 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Iowa State University

16

Saint Cloud State University came in at #16 for general biology this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Saint Cloud State University awarded about 49 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $44,166 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,450. More information about a degree in general biology from Saint Cloud State University

17

Kansas State University landed the #17 spot for general biology this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 109 general biology degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $27,301 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Kansas State University

18
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College landed the #18 spot for general biology this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. Macalester College awarded about 43 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $35,616 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in general biology from Macalester College

19
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University came in at #19 for general biology this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $41,226 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,343. Get the full general biology details for Drake University

20
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University placed #20 among the best general biology schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 46 general biology degrees were awarded at Truman State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $31,435 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,305 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for Truman State University

21

Northwestern College Iowa placed #21 among the best general biology schools. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $54,845 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Northwestern College Iowa

22

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #22 for general biology this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 163 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Students who receive their general biology degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $24,063 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $25,342 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln

23
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Benedictine College graduates 62% of students within six years. Benedictine College awarded about 24 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Benedictine College earn around $46,255 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,990. Read more about the general biology program at Benedictine College

24

University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #24 spot for general biology this year. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. University Of Minnesota Morris graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Morris awarded about 30 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $40,415. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Minnesota Morris

25

Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for general biology this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 82 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $34,620 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Saint Louis University Main Campus

Rest of the Top 50 General Biology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general biology education:

26
Dordt College crest
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA
27
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
28
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN
29
30
31
32
33
34
Hastings College crest
Hastings College
Hastings, NE
35
36
37
38
39
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN
40
41
42
43
44
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN
45
46
47
48
Clarke University crest
Clarke University
Dubuque, IA
49
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for general biology:

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 204 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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