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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the early-career earnings of their general biology graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general biology graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Methodist University, our #1 for general biology graduate salaries in North Carolina. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Methodist University typically earn about $63,580 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Gardner Webb University earned it the #2 place for general biology. Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Gardner Webb University typically earn about $56,900 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Meredith College one of the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Meredith College typically earn about $67,687 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #4 place for general biology. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school located in the city of Raleigh. General Biology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of about $68,124 a year early in their careers.
Duke University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Duke University typically earn about $70,605 annually.
Elon University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Elon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. General Biology graduates of Elon University earn a median of about $67,978 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,430.
East Carolina University landed the #8 spot for general biology salaries this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,515.
Elizabeth City State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Elizabeth City State University is a public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Early-career general biology graduates from Elizabeth City State University make a median of around $44,906 per year.
Wake Forest University landed the #10 spot for general biology salaries this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of about $66,200 a year early in their careers.
Appalachian State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Appalachian State University is a public school located in the town of Boone. General Biology graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of about $67,233 a year early in their careers.
Campbell University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Campbell University make a median of around $58,299 per year.
Louisburg College earned the #13 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Louisburg, Louisburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Louisburg College make a median of around $37,363 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte typically earn about $59,911 annually.
Bennett College For Women placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Bennett College For Women is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greensboro. Early-career general biology graduates from Bennett College For Women make a median of around $43,740 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. General Biology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of about $58,157 a year early in their careers.
Catawba College placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Catawba College typically earn about $40,337 annually.
North Carolina Central University landed the #18 spot for general biology salaries this year. North Carolina Central University is a public school located in the city of Durham. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from North Carolina Central University typically earn about $53,779 annually.
Peace College placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the city of Raleigh, Peace College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Peace College typically earn about $39,710 annually.
Western Carolina University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Western Carolina University is a public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Early-career general biology graduates from Western Carolina University make a median of around $55,306 per year.
Wingate University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Wingate University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wingate. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,688.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #22 spot for general biology salaries this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University typically earn about $48,308 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #23 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,546.
Mars Hill College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Mars Hill College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mars Hill. General Biology graduates of Mars Hill College earn a median of about $51,226 a year early in their careers.
Fayetteville State University earned the #25 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a public institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Fayetteville State University make a median of around $51,627 per year.
These schools also send general biology graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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 · 35 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.