by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general biology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general biology graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Fairfield University the top school for general biology graduate earnings in the United States. Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. General Biology graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of about $85,315 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in general biology will find them at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota make a median of around $84,852 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in general biology will find them at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #3. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology typically earn about $82,813 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at San Jose State University earned it the #4 place for general biology. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. General Biology graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $79,095 a year early in their careers.
Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Florida Institute Of Technology make a median of around $79,013 per year.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,153.
Hofstra University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Hofstra University typically earn about $76,485 annually.
Saint Marys College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Saint Marys College make a median of around $76,403 per year.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,296.
Stanford University earned the #10 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Stanford University typically earn about $76,182 annually.
Northwestern University earned the #11 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,013.
Neumann University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Neumann University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aston. General Biology graduates of Neumann University earn a median of about $75,119 a year early in their careers.
Bradley University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Bradley University typically earn about $74,054 annually.
Chatham University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,132.
College Of Mount St Joseph placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of College Of Mount St Joseph earn a median of about $70,281 a year early in their careers.
Regis University earned the #16 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,262.
Ouachita Baptist University landed the #17 spot for general biology salaries this year. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,601.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of about $69,240 a year early in their careers.
Messiah College came in at #19 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Messiah College typically earn about $68,760 annually.
University Of St Francis came in at #20 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of about $68,692 a year early in their careers.
North Central College placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from North Central College make a median of around $68,342 per year.
Depauw University came in at #22 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,322.
Nebraska Wesleyan University came in at #23 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Nebraska Wesleyan University make a median of around $68,036 per year.
Dyouville College placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Dyouville College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Early-career general biology graduates from Dyouville College make a median of around $67,763 per year.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Early-career general biology graduates from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $67,434 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid general biology ranking:
These institutions also earned high marks for general biology graduate pay:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid General Biology rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries general biology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.