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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Biology in Virginia (With Aid)

25 Ranked Colleges
3,513 Degrees Awarded
$23,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Virginia, there were 3,513 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,417 and $24,714 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general biology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general biology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general biology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 Virginia For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Biology in Virginia (With Aid)

1
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 351 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $22,006 for virginia biology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 97%.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus General Biology Report

2
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Tech. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 335 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $21,301 for virginia biology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, 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 93%.

Read more about General Biology at Virginia Tech

3
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Virginia Military Institute. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid. Located in Lexington, Virginia, this small public school awarded 36 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at VMI, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $22,025 for Virginia Biology students with aid per year to attend Virginia Military Institute.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Military Institute General Biology Report

4
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #4 spot on the list. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school situated in Williamsburg, Virginia. It awarded 141 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia biology students with aid list, William & Mary has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $19,593 for virginia biology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Biology at William & Mary

5
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend George Mason University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. GMU is a large public school situated in Fairfax, Virginia. It awarded 426 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

GMU also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend George Mason University is $19,551 for virginia biology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, 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.

Full George Mason University General Biology Report

6
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. James Madison University is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 230 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $22,562 for Virginia Biology students with aid per year to attend JMU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full JMU General Biology Report

7

Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 506 students in 2020-2021.

VCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Commonwealth University is $20,490 for Virginia Biology students with aid.

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 full report on General Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University

8
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

Old Dominion University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 235 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Old Dominion, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Old Dominion University is $17,204 for Virginia Biology students with aid.

Full Old Dominion University General Biology Report

9
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Radford University is a medium-sized public school situated in Radford, Virginia. It awarded 80 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Radford also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Radford is $16,505 for virginia biology students with aid.

Read more about General Biology at Radford University

10
Bridgewater crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, Virginia

Bridgewater College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bridgewater, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

Bridgewater did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $20,457 for Virginia Biology students with aid per year to attend Bridgewater.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at Bridgewater

11
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #11, University of Mary Washington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. UMW is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 101 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

UMW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $23,193 for virginia biology students with aid per year to attend University of Mary Washington.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 more about General Biology at UMW

12
Virginia State crest
Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia

Virginia State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Petersburg, Virginia, and it awarded 54 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia State, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $17,237 for Virginia Biology students with aid per year to attend Virginia State.

Read more about General Biology at Virginia State University

13
CNU crest
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Christopher Newport University is a small school located in Newport News, Virginia that handed out 153 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CNU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Christopher Newport University is $25,855 for Virginia Biology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full CNU General Biology Report

14
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Richmond landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in University of Richmond, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 66 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia biology students with aid list, URichmond has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for URichmond is $27,050 for Virginia Biology students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at URichmond

15
Randolph - Macon crest
Randolph - Macon College
Ashland, Virginia

Randolph - Macon College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Randolph - Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ashland, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Randolph - Macon also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Randolph - Macon College is $25,551 for Virginia Biology students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Randolph - Macon

16
Hollins crest
Hollins University
Roanoke, Virginia

Hollins University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Hollins University is a small school located in Roanoke, Virginia that handed out 16 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Hollins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hollins University is $20,127 for virginia biology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about General Biology at Hollins University

17
Lynchburg crest
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia

University of Lynchburg landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Lynchburg is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Lynchburg also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Lynchburg is $23,134 for Virginia Biology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on General Biology at University of Lynchburg

18
Roanoke crest
Roanoke College
Salem, Virginia

Roanoke College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Salem, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia biology students with aid list, Roanoke has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Roanoke College is $26,997 for Virginia Biology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Roanoke

19
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, Virginia

Shenandoah University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Winchester, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Shenandoah, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Shenandoah University is $30,878 for virginia biology students with aid.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 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%.

Read more about General Biology at Shenandoah

20
Hampton crest
Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia

Hampton University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Hampton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hampton, Virginia. It awarded 78 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Hampton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Hampton University is $26,824 for Virginia Biology students with aid.

Read full report on General Biology at Hampton

21
Randolph crest
Randolph College
Lynchburg, Virginia

Randolph College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Randolph is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Randolph also took the #21 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Randolph is $23,325 for virginia biology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read full report on General Biology at Randolph

22
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Liberty University is a large school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 143 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Liberty University also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Liberty University is $29,382 for virginia biology students with aid.

Full Liberty University General Biology Report

23
VUU crest
Virginia Union University
Richmond, Virginia

Virginia Union University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Virginia Union University is a small school located in Richmond, Virginia that handed out 30 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

VUU also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend VUU is $19,736 for Virginia Biology students with aid.

Read more about General Biology at VUU

24
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, Virginia

Marymount University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Marymount is a private not-for-profit institution located in Arlington, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Marymount also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Marymount is $22,856 for Virginia Biology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Marymount

25
Hampden - Sydney crest
Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Hampden - Sydney is a small school located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia that handed out 25 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Hampden - Sydney also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $30,746 for Virginia Biology students with aid per year to attend Hampden - Sydney College.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 4.7% 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 more about General Biology at Hampden - Sydney

Notes and References

References

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