2026 Best General Biology Schools
Looking for the best General Biology programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1781 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 General Biology Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Bowdoin College to be the best General Biology school in the United States. Based in Brunswick, ME, Bowdoin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. Read the full report on Bowdoin College
Out of the 1781 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Williams College landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Williamstown, MA. Williams College graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Williams College General Biology students take on a median of $13,454 in debt. Read more about Williams College
The strong General Biology programs at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete their General Biology program here. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Virginia Military Institute came in at #4 on this year's General Biology ranking in the United States. Based in Lexington, VA, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Virginia Military Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. The median General Biology program debt is $23,000. Get the full Virginia Military Institute report
A rank of #5 makes Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,214, compared with $22,514 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,889 to complete their General Biology program here. Read the full report on Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Haverford College placed #6 among General Biology schools in the United States. Set in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. Read the full report on Haverford College
Stanford University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. See the full Stanford University profile
Dartmouth College placed #8 among General Biology schools in the United States. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,019. Typical General Biology student debt is $17,030. Get the full Dartmouth College report
Bucknell University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bucknell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. The median General Biology program debt is $26,672. Read more about Bucknell University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $14,047 to complete their General Biology program here. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Lehigh University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best General Biology schools. Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bethlehem, PA. Lehigh University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. The median General Biology program debt is $23,128. Read the full report on Lehigh University
Harvard University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full Harvard University report
Lafayette College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. The median General Biology program debt is $17,000. See the full Lafayette College profile
Bates College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best General Biology schools. Bates College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewiston, ME. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,590. The median General Biology program debt is $12,850. More on Bates College
Brown University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete their General Biology program here. Get the full Brown University report
College Of The Holy Cross came in at #16 in this year's ranking. College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. College Of The Holy Cross graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,500. Typical General Biology student debt is $27,000. Get the full College Of The Holy Cross report
Swarthmore College did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Swarthmore, PA, Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit institution. Swarthmore College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their General Biology program here. See the full Swarthmore College profile
Boston College landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Boston College General Biology students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. Read more about Boston College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Located in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Graduates carry a median of $26,717 in student loans. See the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute profile
Santa Clara University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. Typical General Biology student debt is $19,941. Get the full Santa Clara University report
Colgate University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hamilton, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,306. Colgate University General Biology students take on a median of $14,730 in debt. More on Colgate University
Randolph Macon College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Ashland, VA, Randolph Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Randolph Macon College graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,466. Graduates carry a median of $26,067 in student loans. More on Randolph Macon College
University Of California Berkeley landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete their General Biology program here. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Worcester Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #24 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Worcester, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. Graduates carry a median of $26,999 in student loans. More on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Macalester College placed #25 among General Biology schools in the United States. Macalester College is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. Macalester College posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Students from in state pay about $68,104 in tuition and fees. Macalester College General Biology students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. More on Macalester College
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Biology Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best General Biology schools. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical General Biology student debt is $24,034. See the full University Of Wisconsin La Crosse profile
Desales University placed #27 among General Biology schools in the United States. Desales University is a private not-for-profit school based in Center Valley, PA. Desales University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,800. Desales University General Biology students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Desales University
Vassar College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Poughkeepsie, NY. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,030. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their General Biology program here. Get the full Vassar College report
Winona State University placed #29 among General Biology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Winona, MN. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical General Biology student debt is $22,665. Read more about Winona State University
Cornell University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. The median General Biology program debt is $16,000. Read more about Cornell University
Saint Johns University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit school based in Collegeville, MN. Saint Johns University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,816. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their General Biology program here. Read more about Saint Johns University
Barnard College did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in New York, NY, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,888. Barnard College General Biology students take on a median of $16,635 in debt. Get the full Barnard College report
Union College New York ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best General Biology schools. Union College New York is a private not-for-profit school based in Schenectady, NY. Union College New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,039. Typical General Biology student debt is $24,500. Get the full Union College New York report
Hamilton College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best General Biology schools. Set in Clinton, NY, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,960. Graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Read more about Hamilton College
San Jose State University placed #35 among General Biology schools in the United States. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Read more about San Jose State University
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best General Biology schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison General Biology students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Lycoming College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Williamsport, PA, Lycoming College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lycoming College posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,804. Graduates carry a median of $26,837 in student loans. Read more about Lycoming College
Hampden Sydney College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Hampden-Sydney, VA, Hampden Sydney College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,550. Typical General Biology student debt is $24,500. See the full Hampden Sydney College profile
Carleton College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best General Biology schools. Located in Northfield, MN, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,892. The median General Biology program debt is $17,929. Get the full Carleton College report
Southern Methodist University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. The median General Biology program debt is $22,125. Read more about Southern Methodist University
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #41 among General Biology schools in the United States. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median General Biology program debt is $21,893. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
St Olaf College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit school based in Northfield, MN. St Olaf College posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. St Olaf College General Biology students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. See the full St Olaf College profile
Denison University placed #43 among General Biology schools in the United States. Located in Granville, OH, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. Denison University graduates 79% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their General Biology program here. Read the full report on Denison University
University Of Northern Iowa did well this year, earning the #44 position. This public school is set in Cedar Falls, IA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More on University Of Northern Iowa
Ursinus College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Set in Collegeville, PA, Ursinus College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,061. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Ursinus College report
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #46 among General Biology schools in the United States. Based in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. The median General Biology program debt is $22,937. More on University Of Wisconsin River Falls
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best General Biology schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public school based in Tacoma, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus General Biology students take on a median of $14,223 in debt. More on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Saint Anselm College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Located in Manchester, NH, Saint Anselm College is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Anselm College graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,920. Saint Anselm College General Biology students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Saint Anselm College profile
Trinity College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best General Biology schools. Set in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,770. Students borrow a median of $26,190 to complete their General Biology program here. Read more about Trinity College
Ohio Northern University placed #50 among General Biology schools in the United States. Based in Ada, OH, Ohio Northern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Ohio Northern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,600. Typical General Biology student debt is $26,661. More on Ohio Northern University
Best General Biology Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best General Biology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Biology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Biology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best General Biology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best General Biology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best General Biology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1781 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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