[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 297 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,536 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $24,713. That is a strong return on a $16,536 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Miami Dade College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,568. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $33,471 early in their careers. Set against $15,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for general biology. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,536. Early-career general biology graduates make about $24,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Dalton State College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $30,839. Set against $10,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College earned the #6 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. General Biology graduates carry a median of $10,400 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $44,082. That is a strong return on a $10,400 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,537 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $32,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $38,970. Set against $23,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in general biology this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,750. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,034. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,528 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $47,702 early in their careers. Set against $19,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
University Of North Florida landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,250. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,964. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida International University landed the #13 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. General Biology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $21,529. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,900 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $30,041. Set against $21,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Berea College placed #15 among the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Berea College earn a median of $26,744 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Florida State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $40,916. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,422. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of West Florida placed #18 among the best values for general biology. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,237. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. General Biology graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #20 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Holmes Community College came in at #21 for value in general biology this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,191. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
Marshall University landed the #22 spot for general biology value this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,206 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $19,955. Set against $25,206 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Murray State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,475 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,914. That is a strong return on a $24,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Georgia placed #24 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,007. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Itawamba Community College earned the #25 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general biology this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 297 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 297 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).
[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.
