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. The highest-paying schools turn a general biology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 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 Simpson College the top school for general biology graduate earnings in Iowa. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general biology graduates from Simpson College make a median of around $60,908 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Loras College one of the highest-paying schools for general biology. Loras College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,846.
Students chasing top earnings in general biology will find them at Drake University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Drake University typically earn about $68,796 annually.
Grand View University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Grand View University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Grand View University typically earn about $57,769 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Wartburg College one of the highest-paying schools for general biology. Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Early-career general biology graduates from Wartburg College make a median of around $70,681 per year.
Grinnell College earned the #6 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,851.
Coe College earned the #7 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Coe College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from Coe College typically earn about $57,710 annually.
Morningside College earned the #8 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Morningside College earn a median of about $69,868 a year early in their careers.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #9 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa typically earn about $59,773 annually.
Saint Ambrose University landed the #10 spot for general biology salaries this year. Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. General Biology graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of about $67,850 a year early in their careers.
University Of Iowa ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. University Of Iowa is a public school located in the city of Iowa City. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from University Of Iowa typically earn about $60,631 annually.
University Of Dubuque ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of about $62,811 a year early in their careers.
Buena Vista University came in at #13 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Early-career general biology graduates from Buena Vista University make a median of around $63,633 per year.
Upper Iowa University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Early-career general biology graduates from Upper Iowa University make a median of around $43,311 per year.
Iowa State University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a public institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,585.
Luther College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general biology schools. Luther College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. General Biology graduates of Luther College earn a median of about $63,171 a year early in their careers.
Central College placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for general biology. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general biology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,537.
William Penn University came in at #18 for general biology graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general biology degree recipients from William Penn University typically earn about $36,449 annually.
Mount Mercy University earned the #19 position for general biology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Biology graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $32,264 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 19 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.