[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1273 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general biology schools.
Finding the Best Value General Biology School for You
The right general biology school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Biology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Biology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for general biology in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $37,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for general biology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $30,257 early in their careers. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Mission College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,223. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general biology. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $43,075. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $67,422. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny City College landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $12,348. General Biology graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $28,324 early in their careers. Set against $12,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Moorpark College landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of San Mateo placed #8 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general biology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $7,611. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $7,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #10 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,283 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $31,381. Set against $15,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,500. Early-career general biology graduates make about $15,731. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College placed #12 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $26,612. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Florida came in at #14 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,536 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $24,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #15 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. General Biology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College came in at #16 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general biology program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College placed #17 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
California State University Stanislaus placed #18 among the best values for general biology. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,101 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,358. That is a strong return on a $15,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #19 spot for general biology value this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,777 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $33,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #21 position for value in general biology this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $38,427. Set against $19,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #22 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,602 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge earned the #23 position for value in general biology this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $39,673. Set against $15,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Antelope Valley College came in at #24 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College came in at #25 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1273 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,273 ranked schools only.
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).
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
