[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1077 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $30,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $33,304. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,525. Early-career general biology graduates make about $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 came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $12,348 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $28,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,348 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino placed #6 among the best values for general biology. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,283 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,381. Set against $15,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Florida earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,536. Early-career general biology graduates make about $24,713. Set against $16,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #9 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,101 in student loans. General Biology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $34,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $12,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,777. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College placed #11 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $33,641. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,059 in student loans. General Biology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $29,506 early in their careers. Set against $15,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Utah Valley University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. 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. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $38,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University landed the #14 spot for general biology value this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,411 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,084. That is a strong return on a $17,411 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Sacramento placed #15 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,019 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $37,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,950. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $24,841. Set against $13,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Miami Dade College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,568. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny York College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $26,768. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #20 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,536 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $24,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
California State University East Bay placed #21 among the best values for general biology. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $44,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #22 among the best values for general biology. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $19,350 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $28,217 early in their careers. Set against $19,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Dalton State College landed the #23 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,323 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,839. Set against $10,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno placed #24 among the best values for general biology. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,853 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #25 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $39,810. Set against $13,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general biology value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 1077 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,077 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
