2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Washington
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Tacoma Campus the best value for a degree in general biology in Washington. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,223 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $38,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,223 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Clark College one of the best values for general biology. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $43,768. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt.
South Puget Sound Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,818 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,245 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $39,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Tacoma Community College, which ranked #4. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,507, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $14,822. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Set against $14,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned it the #5 place for general biology. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,223 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $38,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,223 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,976 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt.
Highline Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,958 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $55,459. That is a strong return on a $8,958 median debt.
Cascadia Community College came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, while out-of-state students pay about $11,296. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Cascadia Community College earn a median of $27,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Heritage University earned the #9 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the rural area of Toppenish, Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,928. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,148 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Heritage University earn a median of $67,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Washington University placed #10 among the best values for general biology. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,666 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,793. That is a strong return on a $21,666 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,223 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $38,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,223 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Edmonds Community College came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. Edmonds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lynnwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,810, with out-of-state students paying around $10,875. Students borrow a median of $16,025 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Edmonds Community College earn a median of $35,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,025 median debt.
Washington State University landed the #13 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $36,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,003 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $33,871. Set against $17,003 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Central Washington University placed #15 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,790 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,401. That is a strong return on a $25,790 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific Lutheran University came in at #16 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,916. Students borrow a median of $22,626 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,766. Set against $22,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Walla Walla University came in at #17 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,227. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,635. General Biology graduates of Walla Walla University earn a median of $56,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Martins University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Saint Martins University generally make around $32,034. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Saint Martins University admits about 90% of applicants.
Whitworth University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. General Biology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Whitworth University generally make around $29,599. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Seattle University placed #20 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,417. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $37,063. That is a strong return on a $22,417 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Whitman College came in at #21 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,050. General Biology graduates carry a median of $18,080 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,538. Set against $18,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Gonzaga University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,496 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,819. That is a strong return on a $26,496 median debt. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Puget Sound ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,898. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,654. General Biology graduates of University Of Puget Sound earn a median of $30,191 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
More General Biology Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
