2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
College Factual analyzed 80 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general biology schools.
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2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Our analysis ranked Holy Family University the best value for a degree in general biology in Pennsylvania. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $44,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Community College Of Philadelphia, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $16,059 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. Set against $16,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery County Community College earned it the #3 place for general biology. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,776. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Northampton County Area Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford placed #6 among the best values for general biology. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bradford. In-state tuition and fees average $14,770, compared with $26,644 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,000. General Biology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Bradford earn a median of $33,576 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #7 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for general biology. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $31,928 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #9 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,182. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington came in at #10 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earn a median of $33,417 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Greensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $14,710, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earn a median of $33,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,912. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $37,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. In-state tuition and fees average $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #14 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $35,309. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $41,443. That is a strong return on a $25,219 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #16 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,206. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lycoming College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,804. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,837. General Biology graduates of Lycoming College earn a median of $32,319 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyney, Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,904, while out-of-state students pay about $18,870. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,128.
La Salle University placed #20 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $30,626 early in their careers. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Westminster College Pa landed the #21 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the rural area of New Wilmington, Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,290. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #22 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $38,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Carlow University came in at #23 for value in general biology this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Carlow University earn a median of $36,211 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best values for general biology. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,863. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Albright College placed #25 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,082. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,544. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Albright College admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
More General Biology Rankings
View All General Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 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.
