2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Massachusetts
[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 45 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Massachusetts
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
Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for general biology in Massachusetts. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $48,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $51,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $6,239. General Biology graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $44,682 early in their careers. Set against $6,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $44,450. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #5 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for general biology. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Holyoke Community College landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $5,300. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. Set against $5,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salem State University landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $45,670 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Fitchburg State University landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $41,250. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $46,631. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #10 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $59,580. That is a strong return on a $26,747 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,999 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $42,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $44,626. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bay Path College landed the #13 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,302. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $40,964 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University placed #14 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #15 for value in general biology this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $74,161. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Williams College landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,454. General Biology graduates of Williams College earn a median of $41,213 early in their careers. Set against $13,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #17 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $42,721. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #18 for value in general biology this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,325 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms generally make around $44,875. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #20 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,427. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $41,204 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Amherst College placed #22 among the best values for general biology. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $59,271. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Boston University earned the #23 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $40,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College placed #24 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,159 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $36,621 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Simmons College placed #25 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $63,860. Set against $26,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general biology value ranking:
More General Biology Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
