2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 160 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
For return on investment in general biology, no school beat Cincinnati State Technical And Community College this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. General Biology graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,975. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for general biology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,768. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Northwest one of the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,434. General Biology graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #5 place for general biology. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $22,116 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $33,882. That is a strong return on a $22,116 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Ferris State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Mott Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,250. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $28,480. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #9 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $35,828. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #10 spot for general biology value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $26,888. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $21,948 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $43,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,948 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Sinclair Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,854 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,348. Set against $11,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #13 spot for general biology value this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $11,889. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,435. General Biology graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $27,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #15 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,836. General Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $20,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Youngstown State University landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $29,689 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,380. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Saint Xavier University came in at #18 for value in general biology this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,939. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northern Illinois University landed the #19 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $23,630 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $42,339 early in their careers. Set against $23,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #20 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,500. General Biology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $35,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #21 spot for general biology value this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,125. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $26,707. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #22 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $33,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $33,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #24 spot for general biology value this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $35,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Hamilton earned the #25 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,368 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $38,122 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,368 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general biology this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 160 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 160 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.
