2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 117 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
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2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Biology Schools
University Of Minnesota Morris earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. General Biology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at St Charles Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. General Biology graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. General Biology graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Jefferson College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Metropolitan Community College Kansas City one of the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $12,281. Early-career general biology graduates make about $46,660. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $40,483. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University earned the #7 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. General Biology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $37,134. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $14,956. General Biology graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truman State University came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,305. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $31,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,149. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #12 for value in general biology this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,831. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #13 spot for general biology value this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,450 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $44,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,450 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Minot State University earned the #14 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,788. Early-career general biology graduates make about $50,645. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Chadron State College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for general biology. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. General Biology graduates carry a median of $17,650 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $38,179. That is a strong return on a $17,650 median debt.
Wichita State University placed #17 among the best values for general biology. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,314. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Normandale Community College landed the #18 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,162. Early-career general biology graduates make about $53,871. That is a strong return on a $20,162 median debt.
Harris Stowe State University came in at #19 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,008, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $31,600. General Biology graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,600 median debt.
Dickinson State University landed the #20 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $51,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Wayne State College earned the #21 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. General Biology graduates carry a median of $18,761 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $32,538. That is a strong return on a $18,761 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #22 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,500. General Biology graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $36,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #23 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $32,400 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #24 among the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,136. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #25 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Biology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general biology this year:
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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 · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 117 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.
