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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

78 Ranked Colleges
6,642 Degrees Awarded
$10,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

General Biology is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 107,165 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, general biology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,334 and had an average of $23,818 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,642 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,028 and $24,478 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 78 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general biology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general biology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general biology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Washington University in St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 137 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL also made our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $1,556 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington University in St Louis.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about General Biology at Washington University in St Louis

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 361 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $7,698 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Biology at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

3
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carleton College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Carleton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Carleton is $6,208 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Carleton College General Biology Report

4

Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #4 spot on the list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 178 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,843 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Duluth.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at University of Minnesota - Duluth

5
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Macalester College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 56 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Macalester has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Macalester is $13,926 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about General Biology at Macalester College

6

University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Morris, Minnesota, and it awarded 43 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,941 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Morris.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Morris General Biology Report

7

With a ranking of #7, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 198 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $9,766 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full Iowa State University General Biology Report

8
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school awarded 94 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

Truman State also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,208 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Truman State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Truman State University General Biology Report

9

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 91 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $9,991 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at University of Missouri - St Louis

10
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 109 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $13,554 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Iowa General Biology Report

11

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 206 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $11,005 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at University of Missouri - Columbia

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $10,513 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Biology at UNI

13

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 152 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL also made our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend UNL is $11,672 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

14

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 117 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $11,835 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at North Dakota State University

15
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

Grinnell College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Grinnell is a small school located in Grinnell, Iowa that handed out 38 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Grinnell has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,835 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grinnell.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Grinnell College

16
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 105 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UND has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $12,394 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of North Dakota General Biology Report

17
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. St. Olaf is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 95 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St Olaf College is $11,112 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at St. Olaf

18
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. St. Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 85 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,348 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Cloud State University General Biology Report

19

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 99 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #24 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,692 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato General Biology Report

20

Missouri University of Science and Technology did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized school located in Rolla, Missouri that handed out 75 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri University of Science and Technology is $7,356 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology General Biology Report

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 126 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,578 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNOMAHA General Biology Report

22

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 184 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

UMKC also made our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $12,724 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City General Biology Report

23
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 153 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,666 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Kansas.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full KU General Biology Report

24
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 110 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $10,359 for Plains States Region Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southeast Missouri State University General Biology Report

25

Wichita State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wichita State University is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 74 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,687 for plains states region biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wichita State University.

Full Wichita State University General Biology Report

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