2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Maine
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
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2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Maine
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
Kennebec Valley Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools in Maine. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,165. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $43,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Bowdoin College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $58,938. That is a strong return on a $20,658 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,125. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,722. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Colby College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $43,597. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
University Of Maine At Augusta is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $29,313. Early-career general biology graduates make about $45,574. Set against $29,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maine At Farmington placed #6 among the best values for general biology. University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $11,308 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of University Of Maine At Farmington earn a median of $33,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine placed #7 among the best values for general biology. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,029. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Bates College came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Bates College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lewiston. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,850 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,613. That is a strong return on a $12,850 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New England ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $34,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
