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 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general biology schools.
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.
For graduate earnings in general biology, no school beat Shepherd University this year. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a public institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Shepherd University typically earn about $57,987 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Concord University earned it the #2 place for general biology. Concord University is a public school located in the rural area of Athens. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,917.
Students chasing top earnings in general biology will find them at University Of Charleston, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from University Of Charleston make a median of around $59,223 per year.
West Virginia University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a public institution. General Biology graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of about $57,866 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at West Virginia University Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for general biology. West Virginia University Institute Of Technology is a public school located in the city of Beckley. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,866.
Marshall University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a public institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Marshall University typically earn about $60,725 annually.
West Liberty University came in at #7 for general biology graduate earnings this year. West Liberty University is a public school located in the rural area of West Liberty. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from West Liberty University typically earn about $29,559 annually.
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 · 7 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.