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.
College Factual analyzed 24 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.
Adrian College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools in Michigan. Located in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Adrian College typically earn about $54,937 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in general biology will find them at University Of Detroit Mercy, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy typically earn about $103,618 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in general biology will find them at Madonna University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Madonna University earn a median of about $46,127 a year early in their careers.
Grand Valley State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Grand Valley State University is a public school located in the town of Allendale. General Biology graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $52,780 a year early in their careers.
Western Michigan University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Western Michigan University make a median of around $60,159 per year.
Ferris State University earned the #6 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Ferris State University is a public school located in the town of Big Rapids. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Ferris State University typically earn about $70,852 annually.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #7 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a public school located in the suburb of University Center. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University typically earn about $58,704 annually.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #8 spot for general biology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,455.
Concordia University Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot for general biology salaries this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Concordia University Ann Arbor make a median of around $73,527 per year.
Calvin College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Calvin College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Early-career general biology graduates from Calvin College make a median of around $61,669 per year.
Michigan State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. General Biology graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of about $66,211 a year early in their careers.
Mott Community College landed the #12 spot for general biology salaries this year. Mott Community College is a public school located in the city of Flint. Early-career general biology graduates from Mott Community College make a median of around $44,663 per year.
Hope College earned the #13 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Hope College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Early-career general biology graduates from Hope College make a median of around $52,442 per year.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #14 spot for general biology salaries this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,737.
Olivet College earned the #15 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Olivet, Olivet College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Olivet College earn a median of about $49,623 a year early in their careers.
Aquinas College Michigan placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Aquinas College Michigan is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,870.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a public school located in the city of Flint. General Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of about $58,599 a year early in their careers.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public school located in the city of Dearborn. General Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of about $65,990 a year early in their careers.
Wayne State University came in at #19 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,808.
Northern Michigan University earned the #20 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. General Biology graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of about $54,276 a year early in their careers.
Oakland University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a public institution. General Biology graduates of Oakland University earn a median of about $50,615 a year early in their careers.
Kalamazoo College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Kalamazoo College typically earn about $49,067 annually.
Albion College placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Albion College make a median of around $52,772 per year.
Michigan Technological University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,588.
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 · 24 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.