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 77 schools on the early-career earnings of their general biology graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send general biology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute the top school for general biology graduate earnings in New York. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute typically earn about $77,153 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in general biology will find them at Hofstra University, which ranked #2. Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. General Biology graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of about $76,485 a year early in their careers.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sparkill. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Saint Thomas Aquinas College typically earn about $69,240 annually.
Dyouville College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Dyouville College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Dyouville College typically earn about $67,763 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in general biology will find them at Pace University New York, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of about $66,071 a year early in their careers.
Saint Bonaventure University earned the #6 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Saint Bonaventure University earn a median of about $65,406 a year early in their careers.
Elmira College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Set in the city of Elmira, Elmira College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Elmira College earn a median of about $65,177 a year early in their careers.
Alfred University landed the #8 spot for general biology salaries this year. Alfred University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Alfred. Early-career general biology graduates from Alfred University make a median of around $61,219 per year.
Niagara University came in at #9 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Niagara University earn a median of about $60,737 a year early in their careers.
Clarkson University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Clarkson University earn a median of about $75,369 a year early in their careers.
University Of Rochester earned the #11 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from University Of Rochester typically earn about $79,479 annually.
New York University landed the #12 spot for general biology salaries this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from New York University typically earn about $87,053 annually.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,310.
Fordham University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,720.
Cuny Hunter College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Cuny Hunter College is a public school located in the city of New York. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College typically earn about $84,662 annually.
Vassar College landed the #16 spot for general biology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Vassar College make a median of around $71,377 per year.
Marist College came in at #17 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,780.
Siena College came in at #18 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Siena College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Loudonville. General Biology graduates of Siena College earn a median of about $74,649 a year early in their careers.
College Of Mount Saint Vincent placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the city of Bronx, College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from College Of Mount Saint Vincent typically earn about $71,572 annually.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a public institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,306.
Syracuse University landed the #21 spot for general biology salaries this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Syracuse University make a median of around $71,471 per year.
Adelphi University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Adelphi University make a median of around $78,064 per year.
Cornell University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Cornell University earn a median of about $69,997 a year early in their careers.
Cuny City College landed the #24 spot for general biology salaries this year. Cuny City College is a public school located in the city of New York. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Cuny City College typically earn about $78,147 annually.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #25 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus typically earn about $80,580 annually.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning general biology graduates:
This ranking is produced 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 · 77 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.