by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a general biology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the early-career earnings of their general biology graduates.
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Below are the schools whose general biology graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public school located in the city of La Crosse. General Biology graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $200,948 a year early in their careers.
University Of Toledo produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a public institution. General Biology graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of about $62,805 a year early in their careers.
University Of Notre Dame produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame typically earn about $100,949 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in general biology will find them at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. General Biology graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $56,315 a year early in their careers.
Western Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. General Biology graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of about $67,238 a year early in their careers.
Miami University Oxford ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Miami University Oxford is a public school located in the town of Oxford. Early-career general biology graduates from Miami University Oxford make a median of around $54,624 per year.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #7 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public school located in the city of Indianapolis. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis typically earn about $70,874 annually.
Northwestern University landed the #8 spot for general biology salaries this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of about $86,946 a year early in their careers.
Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Northern Illinois University make a median of around $46,541 per year.
Ball State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Ball State University is a public school located in the city of Muncie. General Biology graduates of Ball State University earn a median of about $44,179 a year early in their careers.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne typically earn about $42,937 annually.
Midwestern University Downers Grove landed the #12 spot for general biology salaries this year. Located in the city of Downers Grove, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,793.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #13 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus make a median of around $36,682 per year.
Eastern Illinois University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Eastern Illinois University is a public school located in the town of Charleston. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,094.
Roosevelt University came in at #15 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of about $33,998 a year early in their careers.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #16 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $22,488 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general biology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 16 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.