by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general biology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 26 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.
For return on investment in general biology, no school beat Christian Brothers University this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. General Biology graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee Martin earned it the #2 place for general biology. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,900 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,185. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,145. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Peay State University one of the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $26,215 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $24,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Middle Tennessee State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,500. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,087. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,000. General Biology graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $29,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Martin Methodist College placed #9 among the best values for general biology. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,924. Students borrow a median of $23,308 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Martin Methodist College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Wesleyan College placed #10 among the best values for general biology. Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $30,814 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan College earn a median of $58,859 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University earned the #11 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. General Biology graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $28,138 early in their careers. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $52,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,902. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Tennessee State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,375 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $30,672. That is a strong return on a $29,375 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #15 for value in general biology this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,579 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $27,487. Set against $23,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Carson Newman College placed #16 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,749. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $48,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lincoln Memorial University landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,723. Early-career general biology graduates make about $64,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Tusculum College came in at #18 for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,250. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,278 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,624. Set against $25,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tusculum College admits about 72% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University earned the #19 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,750. General Biology graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
King College came in at #20 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,397. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,579 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $49,297. That is a strong return on a $25,579 median debt. King College admits about 100% of applicants.
Southern Adventist University placed #21 among the best values for general biology. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. Students from in state pay about $27,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University came in at #22 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $20,387 early in their careers. Set against $24,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Sewanee The University Of The South landed the #23 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,120. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $23,932. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College came in at #24 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,110. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,901. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Fisk University came in at #25 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Fisk University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,858 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,310 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Fisk University earn a median of $38,089 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,310 median debt. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general biology value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.