2027 Best Value General Biology Master’s Degree Schools
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general biology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 192 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general biology schools.
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2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in the United States
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
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $52,845. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for general biology. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $67,422. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for general biology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,348 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #4 place for general biology. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,283 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $31,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, 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 $55,084. Set against $15,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge landed the #6 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,059 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $49,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $13,950 to complete the general biology program here. 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 acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,019 in student loans. General Biology graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $59,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay placed #9 among the best values for general biology. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $44,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #10 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,526. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,345. That is a strong return on a $20,526 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #12 position for value in general biology this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $36,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $18,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,334. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #14 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,537. General Biology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $37,739 early in their careers. Set against $17,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,667. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $44,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Florida International University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $21,529. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #17 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University placed #18 among the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of North Florida placed #19 among the best values for general biology. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,250. General Biology graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $26,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #20 for value in general biology this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $19,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
The University Of West Florida earned the #22 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,237. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Oakland University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,435. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $27,497. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $38,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,900. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
Other General Biology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Biology rankings across degree levels:
View All General Biology Rankings >
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 · 192 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 192 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.
