by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general biology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 183 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Mission College tops our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,223. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
A rank of #3 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for general biology. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa 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 $7,611. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for general biology. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $15,731. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. General Biology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College placed #8 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. General Biology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Folsom Lake College placed #9 among the best values for general biology. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Utah Valley University earned the #10 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,200. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $38,427. That is a strong return on a $19,200 median debt.
South Texas College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,602 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,791. Set against $6,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. Antelope Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lancaster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $50,744. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
Irvine Valley College placed #13 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the general biology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
College Of The Canyons ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Canada College placed #15 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $11,602. General Biology graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $48,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
De Anza College placed #18 among the best values for general biology. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College placed #19 among the best values for general biology. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Ventura College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College landed the #21 spot for general biology value this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Pasadena City College landed the #22 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,191. General Biology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Biology graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. General Biology graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College placed #25 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for general biology this year:
Explore the best-value general biology schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 183 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 183 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.