2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Texas
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 109 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in Texas. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $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 #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,411 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $24,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,411 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Alvin Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,375 in student loans. 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.
Del Mar College landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. 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 came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,950 in student loans. General Biology graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #11 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,526 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $20,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Lamar Institute Of Technology earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $14,278. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #14 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,052. Early-career general biology graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Temple College earned the #15 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $16,617 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #16 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $11,005 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $24,621. That is a strong return on a $11,005 median debt.
South Plains College came in at #17 for value in general biology this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Hill College placed #18 among the best values for general biology. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $12,302. General Biology graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College landed the #19 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College placed #20 among the best values for general biology. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rice University came in at #21 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $11,904. Early-career general biology graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Odessa College landed the #22 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $9,087. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System landed the #23 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $10,425. Early-career general biology graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University landed the #24 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $22,274 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $31,367. Set against $22,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #25 spot for general biology value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $18,479 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $22,167 early in their careers. Set against $18,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
More General Biology Rankings
View All General Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 109 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
