2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in New Jersey
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Union County College earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $8,297. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $38,168. Set against $8,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cumberland County College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. General Biology graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $25,026. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #3 place for general biology. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Saint Peters College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. General Biology graduates carry a median of $18,800 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $33,779 early in their careers. Set against $18,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes Kean University one of the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,548. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $34,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Gloucester County College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,026. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montclair State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $40,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Salem Community College came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Salem Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Carneys Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,360, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. Students borrow a median of $17,232 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Salem Community College generally make around $51,781. Set against $17,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $26,418. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
New Jersey City University earned the #10 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,750. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,988. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for general biology. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,834 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,860. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $42,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rutgers University Camden earned the #14 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $37,671 early in their careers. Set against $24,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark earned the #15 position for value in general biology this year. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,161. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $60,565. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,770 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,447. That is a strong return on a $21,770 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University came in at #17 for value in general biology this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $33,313. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned the #18 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,468. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $26,418. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #19 position for value in general biology this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $60,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Drew University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,100 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Drew University generally make around $24,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drew University admits about 68% of applicants.
Caldwell College landed the #21 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,848. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,250. Early-career general biology graduates make about $48,400. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rider University came in at #22 for value in general biology this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Rider University earn a median of $41,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #23 spot for general biology value this year. The College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Ewing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Biology graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $25,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Bloomfield College placed #24 among the best values for general biology. Located in the suburb of Bloomfield, Bloomfield College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,000. General Biology graduates of Bloomfield College earn a median of $37,179 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University earned the #25 position for value in general biology this year. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $26,445 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general biology value ranking:
More General Biology Rankings
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
