by our College Data Analytics TeamGeneral Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general biology programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 183 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general biology students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
See the highest-ranked general biology schools offering a associate’s degree below.
Mission College tops our 2027 ranking of the best general biology schools. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Mission College awarded about 105 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Mission College graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. See the full general biology program report for Mission College
Students looking for a strong general biology program will find one at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #2. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 119 general biology degrees were awarded at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Typical student debt for the program is $7,611. More information about a degree in general biology from San Diego Mesa College
Long Beach City College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. There were roughly 248 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year. Long Beach City College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at Long Beach City College
A rank of #4 makes Utah Valley University one of the top schools for general biology. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. About 40% of students finish within six years. Utah Valley University awarded about 183 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $38,427. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at Utah Valley University
Folsom Lake College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general biology, ranking #5. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Folsom Lake College awarded about 22 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. See the full general biology program report for Folsom Lake College
Diablo Valley College earned the #6 position for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. There were roughly 103 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Diablo Valley College earn around $27,813 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Diablo Valley College
Reedley College earned the #7 position for general biology this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. There were roughly 98 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Reedley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500. See the full general biology program report for Reedley College
De Anza College earned the #8 position for general biology this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. About 38 general biology degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from De Anza College
Foothill College came in at #9 for general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Foothill College awarded about 25 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Foothill College
San Diego Miramar College landed the #10 spot for general biology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. San Diego Miramar College awarded about 146 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $15,731 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for San Diego Miramar College
Salt Lake Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best general biology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. About 30 general biology degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $42,031 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Salt Lake Community College
College Of San Mateo placed #12 among the best general biology schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. There were roughly 28 general biology students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for College Of San Mateo
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best general biology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. There were roughly 161 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $40,126 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Northern Virginia Community College
Moorpark College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. About 42 general biology degrees were awarded at Moorpark College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. See the full general biology program report for Moorpark College
Austin Community College District placed #15 among the best general biology schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 65 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Austin Community College District earn around $34,560 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,375. See the full general biology program report for Austin Community College District
Napa Valley College landed the #16 spot for general biology this year. Located in the city of Napa, Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 50 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Napa Valley College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in general biology from Napa Valley College
Cascadia Community College earned the #17 position for general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Cascadia Community College awarded about 47 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cascadia Community College generally make around $27,352. Typical student debt for the program is $7,000. See the full general biology program report for Cascadia Community College
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #18 spot for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 13 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Santa Rosa Junior College
Skyline College earned the #19 position for general biology this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. There were roughly 36 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Skyline College in the most recent data year. See the full general biology program report for Skyline College
San Diego City College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 94 general biology students who graduated with this degree at San Diego City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $26,218 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for San Diego City College
Fresno City College landed the #21 spot for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. There were roughly 310 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $22,741 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Fresno City College
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best general biology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chandler. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 22 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $46,943 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for Chandler Gilbert Community College
Santa Barbara City College came in at #23 for general biology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Barbara. About 42 general biology degrees were awarded at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. More information about a degree in general biology from Santa Barbara City College
Ohlone Community College earned the #24 position for general biology this year. Set in the city of Fremont, Ohlone Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 13 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Ohlone Community College in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Ohlone Community College earn a median of $22,545 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Ohlone Community College
Orange Coast College came in at #25 for general biology this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 41 general biology degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Orange Coast College earn around $46,306 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Orange Coast College
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general biology education:
These schools earned honorable mentions for general biology:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare General Biology rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 183 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.