by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the early-career earnings of their general biology graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send general biology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Auburn University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a public institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Auburn University make a median of around $66,864 per year.
Clemson University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Clemson University is a public school located in the suburb of Clemson. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Clemson University typically earn about $70,731 annually.
East Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. East Carolina University is a public school located in the city of Greenville. Early-career general biology graduates from East Carolina University make a median of around $61,392 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at George Mason University earned it the #4 place for general biology. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,560.
Strong graduate earnings at Georgia State University earned it the #5 place for general biology. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Georgia State University make a median of around $73,621 per year.
Alabama A And M University landed the #6 spot for general biology salaries this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a public institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Alabama A And M University typically earn about $53,655 annually.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #7 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University typically earn about $72,803 annually.
James Madison University earned the #8 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,933.
Liberty University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Liberty University typically earn about $62,864 annually.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #10 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. General Biology graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $66,959 a year early in their careers.
Wake Forest University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Wake Forest University make a median of around $44,209 per year.
University Of Kentucky landed the #12 spot for general biology salaries this year. University Of Kentucky is a public school located in the city of Lexington. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from University Of Kentucky typically earn about $43,610 annually.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. Early-career general biology graduates from North Carolina A And T State University make a median of around $42,240 per year.
Emory University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $96,111.
Appalachian State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Appalachian State University make a median of around $40,104 per year.
Mississippi College placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Mississippi College typically earn about $60,547 annually.
University Of Central Florida landed the #17 spot for general biology salaries this year. University Of Central Florida is a public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,371.
Mercer University earned the #18 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,099.
Western Kentucky University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. General Biology graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $35,371 a year early in their careers.
Duke University landed the #20 spot for general biology salaries this year. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $29,519.
Campbell University came in at #21 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Campbell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,439.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #22 spot for general biology salaries this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham typically earn about $26,408 annually.
University Of Miami landed the #23 spot for general biology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from University Of Miami make a median of around $23,382 per year.
Bluefield College landed the #24 spot for general biology salaries this year. Set in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Bluefield College typically earn about $20,621 annually.
Florida State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,692.
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 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.