2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Arkansas
[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 16 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
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2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Arkansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Our analysis ranked East Arkansas Community College the best value for a degree in general biology in Arkansas. East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Forrest City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $8,110. General Biology graduates of East Arkansas Community College earn a median of $42,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,110 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. Students from in state pay about $7,334 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,081. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $26,541. Set against $17,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general biology. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,500. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Students borrow a median of $16,640 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $29,596. That is a strong return on a $16,640 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff, which ranked #5. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,612. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of $26,044 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Philander Smith College came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Little Rock, Philander Smith College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,014. Students borrow a median of $38,630 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,413. Set against $38,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,770 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,390. Set against $19,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock placed #9 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,329. General Biology graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $32,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,329 median debt. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of The Ozarks ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Clarksville, University Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,950. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,750. General Biology graduates of University Of The Ozarks earn a median of $27,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas came in at #11 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $28,061. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Lyon College came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Batesville, Lyon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,232. The acceptance rate is 63%.
John Brown University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,756. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,216. General Biology graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $50,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,216 median debt. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.
Harding University placed #14 among the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,715. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,629. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Ouachita Baptist University came in at #15 for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,500 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Ouachita Baptist University generally make around $35,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ouachita Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
Hendrix College placed #16 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Conway, Hendrix College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,200. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,000. General Biology graduates of Hendrix College earn a median of $27,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
