2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Virginia
[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 35 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
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2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Leading the list is Northern Virginia Community College, our #1 best value for general biology in Virginia. 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. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Radford University one of the best values for general biology. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $32,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Old Dominion University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,970 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $28,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Virginia Military Institute came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,000. General Biology graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $43,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #5 place for general biology. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,625. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $35,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Norfolk State University earned the #6 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Virginia State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $28,169 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Sweet Briar College placed #8 among the best values for general biology. Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sweet Briar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,160. Median earnings reach $51,943 ten years out. Sweet Briar College admits about 76% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Students borrow a median of $16,681 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,851. That is a strong return on a $16,681 median debt. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Bridgewater College earned the #10 position for value in general biology this year. Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Students from in state pay about $16,090 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $34,494. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Longwood University came in at #11 for value in general biology this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,946 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $33,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,946 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Randolph College placed #12 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,310. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,567. General Biology graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $35,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,567 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Emory And Henry College earned the #14 position for value in general biology this year. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,000. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,938. General Biology graduates of Emory And Henry College earn a median of $47,255 early in their careers. Set against $26,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. General Biology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $23,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Virginia Wesleyan College came in at #16 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,500. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,625. General Biology graduates of Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of $30,921 early in their careers. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Hollins University landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Roanoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,560. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,721. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Lynchburg College placed #18 among the best values for general biology. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,750. Early-career general biology graduates make about $107,159. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Hampden Sydney College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,550. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,500. General Biology graduates of Hampden Sydney College earn a median of $41,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Southern Virginia University placed #20 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Buena Vista, Southern Virginia University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,030. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Southern Virginia University earn a median of $22,024 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Christopher Newport University landed the #21 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $30,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
James Madison University landed the #22 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,046. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Averett University placed #23 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,550. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Averett University generally make around $53,876. Set against $28,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #24 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,712. General Biology graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $27,506 early in their careers. Set against $21,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Washington And Lee University came in at #25 for value in general biology this year. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,045. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,074. Early-career general biology graduates make about $76,810. That is a strong return on a $20,074 median debt. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general biology this year:
More General Biology Rankings
View All General Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
