2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Missouri

[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.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general biology schools.
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2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Biology Schools
St Charles Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #2 place for general biology. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $21,500. 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. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $20,305 to complete the general biology program here. 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. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Jefferson College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $31,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $12,281. General Biology graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $34,102. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Western State University came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,935 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $40,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harris Stowe State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $31,600 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Harris Stowe State University generally make around $31,993. Set against $31,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $32,400. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #12 position for value in general biology this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,519 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,420. That is a strong return on a $21,519 median debt. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #13 among the best values for general biology. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $37,983. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #14 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #15 for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,552 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $34,717. That is a strong return on a $25,552 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,188. Early-career general biology graduates make about $46,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Missouri Valley College placed #17 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,700. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $44,318. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Valley College admits about 69% of applicants.
Logan University earned the #18 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Chesterfield, Logan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,000. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Logan University generally make around $49,628. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #19 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,796, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. General Biology graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $35,467. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lindenwood University came in at #20 for value in general biology this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $30,486. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $41,084. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Park University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,112. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Park University generally make around $52,616. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
Drury University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,745. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,688 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.
Southwest Baptist University landed the #24 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,566. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,436. Early-career general biology graduates make about $49,135. That is a strong return on a $24,436 median debt. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #25 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $29,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
More General Biology Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.