2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in general biology in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $38,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Snow College earned it the #2 place for general biology. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $11,211 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $24,557. That is a strong return on a $11,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Red Rocks Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $76,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Community College Of Aurora, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #6 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $20,993 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Community College Of Denver landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $45,202. Set against $18,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,125. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Pueblo ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Students borrow a median of $25,829 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $38,933. That is a strong return on a $25,829 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. General Biology graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,562. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Idaho State University earned the #12 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming placed #13 among the best values for general biology. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,920. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Adams State College landed the #14 spot for general biology value this year. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,824, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,523. Early-career general biology graduates make about $48,101. That is a strong return on a $25,523 median debt.
Utah State University earned the #15 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $29,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Idaho landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $39,368. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. General Biology graduates carry a median of $29,587 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $41,018 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Utah landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $39,212. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Mesa State College came in at #19 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $27,774 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,565. Set against $27,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #20 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,425 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,374. Set against $23,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #21 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,697 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $35,979 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,697 median debt.
Lewis Clark State College placed #22 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,781. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $44,496. That is a strong return on a $23,781 median debt. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,289 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,962 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $68,773. Set against $23,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana admits about 91% of applicants.
Western State College Of Colorado came in at #24 for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, with out-of-state students paying around $24,434. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,973 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $29,881. Set against $23,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Montana earned the #25 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,718. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,914. That is a strong return on a $26,718 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value General Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
Narrow General Biology Schools by State
More General Biology Rankings
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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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
