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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Arizona Western College earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in Arizona. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. General Biology graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $15,996. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dine College earned it the #3 place for general biology. Set in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,410. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Dine College generally make around $20,227.
Mesa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $13,750. General Biology graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paradise Valley Community College placed #6 among the best values for general biology. Paradise Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Mountain Community College came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.
Northern Arizona University earned the #10 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $38,014. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $40,812. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University placed #13 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,921. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Arizona Christian University earned the #14 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Arizona Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,098. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,625. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,702. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,288 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $66,620. That is a strong return on a $24,288 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.