by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general biology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Copiah Lincoln Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Median earnings reach $31,241 ten years out.
East Mississippi Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. General Biology graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. General Biology graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Itawamba Community College earned it the #3 place for general biology. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. 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.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Holmes Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,191. General Biology graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Mississippi Community College earned it the #5 place for general biology. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,740 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,001. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
Mississippi University For Women landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,509. Early-career general biology graduates make about $42,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $21,325 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Mississippi Valley State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,692. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,919 ten years after entry. Mississippi Valley State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Alcorn State University placed #9 among the best values for general biology. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $27,607. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.
Delta State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,601 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $20,823. Set against $22,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
William Carey University earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. General Biology graduates carry a median of $18,770 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $19,910. Set against $18,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.
Belhaven University earned the #12 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $34,181. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Belhaven University generally make around $42,485. Set against $34,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belhaven University admits about 50% of applicants.
Mississippi State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $23,313 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $20,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Tougaloo College placed #14 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Tougaloo, Tougaloo College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,407. Students borrow a median of $42,875 to complete the general biology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,724. That is a strong return on a $42,875 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #15 among the best values for general biology. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Students borrow a median of $23,213 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $24,195. Set against $23,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson State University landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,965, compared with $11,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,354. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jackson State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Millsaps College placed #17 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Jackson, Millsaps College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,680. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Millsaps College generally make around $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millsaps College admits about 43% of applicants.
Mississippi College placed #18 among the best values for general biology. Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,500. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $21,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.