by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1781 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is San Diego Mesa College, our #1 best value for general biology in the United States. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $7,611. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $7,611 median debt.
Reedley College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Biology graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mission College earned it the #3 place for general biology. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. General Biology graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,500. General Biology graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $15,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Folsom Lake College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
College Of San Mateo placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. 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 City College earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,500. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,075. General Biology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. General Biology graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College placed #10 among the best values for general biology. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Santiago Canyon College placed #11 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $5,500. General Biology graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #12 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,602. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $28,791. That is a strong return on a $6,602 median debt.
College Of The Canyons ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College earned the #16 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Biology graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $22,741. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. General Biology graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Grossmont College came in at #19 for value in general biology this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Golden West College landed the #20 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Orange Coast College earned the #22 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #23 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Cerritos College earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College landed the #25 spot for general biology value this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general biology value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Biology rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1781 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.