by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general biology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Des Moines Area Community College the best value for a degree in general biology in Iowa. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grinnell College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,170. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for general biology. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $36,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,614. Early-career general biology graduates make about $30,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #5 makes Coe College one of the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,666. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Buena Vista University landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $30,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Loras College landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Students borrow a median of $26,984 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Loras College earn a median of $43,117 early in their careers. Set against $26,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Iowa landed the #8 spot for general biology value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $25,512. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Simpson College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $48,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Simpson College admits about 86% of applicants.
Luther College came in at #10 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,359. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
William Penn University landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $36,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Central College earned the #12 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,988. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,933. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Dubuque earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,095. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $31,779 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Clarke University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,910. Students borrow a median of $26,895 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $53,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $30,825. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Dordt College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,050. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,812. Early-career general biology graduates make about $54,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northwestern College Iowa ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. Northwestern College Iowa admits about 80% of applicants.
Drake University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,343 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Morningside College landed the #19 spot for general biology value this year. Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $39,519. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $32,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College earned the #20 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,250 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $34,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.