by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Delaware Technical Community College Terry, our #1 best value for general biology in Delaware. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $11,154. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,322. That is a strong return on a $11,154 median debt.
Wilmington University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,054. Early-career general biology graduates make about $57,142. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delaware State University earned it the #3 place for general biology. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,670, compared with $20,634 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Delaware State University generally make around $39,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Delaware State University admits about 47% of applicants.
University Of Delaware is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,261. General Biology graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $39,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.