2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in West 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
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2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in West Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Biology Schools
For return on investment in general biology, no school beat Marshall University this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $25,206 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Fairmont State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,447. General Biology graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $45,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,447 median debt. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University Institute Of Technology earned it the #3 place for general biology. Located in the city of Beckley, West Virginia University Institute Of Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $23,090 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of West Virginia University Institute Of Technology earn a median of $25,086 early in their careers. Set against $23,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Concord University one of the best values for general biology. Located in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,664, compared with $22,000 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,236 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concord University admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Shepherd University one of the best values for general biology. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,937. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $49,165. That is a strong return on a $21,937 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Institute, West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,990. Students borrow a median of $26,140 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of West Virginia State University earn a median of $37,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,140 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
West Liberty University earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,893, while out-of-state students pay about $17,442. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,500. General Biology graduates of West Liberty University earn a median of $29,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. West Liberty University admits about 97% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,090 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $25,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia Wesleyan College placed #9 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from West Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $47,784. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. West Virginia Wesleyan College admits about 93% of applicants.
Bethany College West Virginia earned the #10 position for value in general biology this year. Bethany College West Virginia is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bethany. In-state tuition and fees average $36,102. General Biology graduates carry a median of $28,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Bethany College West Virginia generally make around $25,963. That is a strong return on a $28,498 median debt. Bethany College West Virginia admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of Charleston landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,617. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of Charleston earn a median of $29,188 early in their careers. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
More General Biology Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
