2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general biology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 127 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
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2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Our analysis ranked South Texas College the best value for a degree in general biology in the Southwest Region. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. General Biology graduates carry a median of $6,602 in student loans. General Biology graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $28,791 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,602 median debt.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,411. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,084. Set against $17,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes El Centro College one of the best values for general biology. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,950. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $24,841. That is a strong return on a $13,950 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
El Paso Community College placed #6 among the best values for general biology. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $17,314. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Amarillo College earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $13,375 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $34,560. That is a strong return on a $13,375 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,017. General Biology graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Set against $9,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $11,005. Early-career general biology graduates make about $24,621. That is a strong return on a $11,005 median debt.
University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #11 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Oklahoma College landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,083 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,811 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,565. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $8,632. Early-career general biology graduates make about $49,087. That is a strong return on a $8,632 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Tulsa Community College landed the #14 spot for general biology value this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #16 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,526. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,345. Set against $20,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Odessa College came in at #17 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,087. General Biology graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College came in at #18 for value in general biology this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $16,150. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College placed #19 among the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma landed the #20 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000, while out-of-state students pay about $20,190. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,136. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for general biology. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $26,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Hill College earned the #22 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,862. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,479 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $22,167. Set against $18,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #24 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $18,660. Early-career general biology graduates make about $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. General Biology graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. General Biology graduates of East Central University earn a median of $32,077 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
Narrow General Biology Schools by State
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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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 127 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.
