2026 Best Value General Biology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Biology graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1781 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value General Biology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found University Of Nebraska At Omaha to be the best-value General Biology school in the United States. Set in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical General Biology student debt is $21,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,909 ten years after entry. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Western Kentucky University came in at #2 on this year's best-value General Biology ranking in the United States. Located in Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,889. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Western Kentucky University
Out of the 1781 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #3 spot. Set in Wayne, NJ, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,860 to complete their General Biology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,780 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants. Read the full report on William Paterson University Of New Jersey
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete their General Biology program here. Median earnings reach $55,198 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. See the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis profile
A rank of #5 makes Temple University one of the best values in the United States. Temple University is a public school based in Philadelphia, PA. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Temple University General Biology students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,727. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Temple University has an acceptance rate of 80%. See the full Temple University profile
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte report
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #7 among the best-value General Biology schools in the United States. Based in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Graduates carry a median of $18,479 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,923. That is a strong return on a $18,479 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso has an acceptance rate of 100%. See the full The University Of Texas At El Paso profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their General Biology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Harvard University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical General Biology student debt is $16,616. Median earnings reach $101,817 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants. See the full Harvard University profile
Florida Atlantic University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. Based in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. The median General Biology program debt is $17,537. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,746 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Florida Atlantic University
George Mason University placed #11 among the best-value General Biology schools in the United States. Set in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans. George Mason University alumni report median earnings of $76,343 a decade after entry. Set against $21,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University has an acceptance rate of 88%. See the full George Mason University profile
University Of Massachusetts Lowell offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Lowell, MA, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Graduates carry a median of $26,747 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,874 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Lowell
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Based in Birmingham, AL, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Alabama At Birmingham profile
Oakland University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. Set in Rochester Hills, MI, Oakland University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Oakland University General Biology students take on a median of $25,435 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University has an acceptance rate of 88%. More on Oakland University
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Richmond, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Graduates carry a median of $21,712 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,128 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,712 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Virginia Commonwealth University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #16 among the best-value General Biology schools in the United States. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. University Of Missouri Columbia General Biology students take on a median of $23,188 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Montana State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. Set in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical General Biology student debt is $24,750. Median earnings reach $53,263 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%. Get the full Montana State University report
New York University placed #18 among the best-value General Biology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical General Biology student debt is $21,250. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,509. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. New York University has an acceptance rate of 9%. Read more about New York University
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. Located in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,620 in student loans. Median earnings reach $62,177 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%. More on University Of South Carolina Columbia
Stony Brook University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete their General Biology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $74,502. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%. Get the full Stony Brook University report
Central Connecticut State University placed #20 among the best-value General Biology schools in the United States. Central Connecticut State University is a public school based in New Britain, CT. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. The median General Biology program debt is $25,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,562. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Connecticut State University has an acceptance rate of 73%. Read the full report on Central Connecticut State University
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. Based in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. The median General Biology program debt is $18,750. The University Of Texas At Dallas alumni report median earnings of $68,227 a decade after entry. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. More on The University Of Texas At Dallas
Florida International University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Miami, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Florida International University alumni report median earnings of $60,249 a decade after entry. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants. Get the full Florida International University report
Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Typical General Biology student debt is $19,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $102,491 ten years after entry. Set against $19,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their General Biology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,648 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor has an acceptance rate of 16%. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Biology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Connecticut came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Located in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical General Biology student debt is $25,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,997. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
University Of North Texas Health Science Center ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. This public school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Students from in state pay about $10,224 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,415 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $93,615 ten years after entry. Read more about University Of North Texas Health Science Center
Calumet College Of Saint Joseph offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. More on Calumet College Of Saint Joseph
Coastal Carolina University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. More on Coastal Carolina University
Mountwest Community And Technical College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. Read the full report on Mountwest Community And Technical College
Point Park University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. Read more about Point Park University
Sheridan College
Sheridan College landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Sheridan College
Tennessee Wesleyan College placed #33 among the best-value General Biology schools in the United States. Get the full Tennessee Wesleyan College report
Union County College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. Get the full Union County College report
University Of Maine At Fort Kent placed #35 among the best-value General Biology schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Maine At Fort Kent report
Washington Adventist University placed #36 among the best-value General Biology schools in the United States. See the full Washington Adventist University profile
Waynesburg University placed #37 among the best-value General Biology schools in the United States. Read more about Waynesburg University
Wright State University Lake Campus ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. Read the full report on Wright State University Lake Campus
Blue Mountain College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. Read the full report on Blue Mountain College
Eastern Mennonite University offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full Eastern Mennonite University profile
Loma Linda University landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Loma Linda University
Marquette University offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full Marquette University report
Moberly Area Community College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Moberly Area Community College report
Mount Vernon Nazarene University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Mount Vernon Nazarene University report
Ohio State University Lima Campus came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Ohio State University Lima Campus report
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. More on Southeastern Community College West Burlington
University Of South Carolina Beaufort landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of South Carolina Beaufort
Wayne State College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Wayne State College
Wesleyan University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Biology schools. More on Wesleyan University
Wittenberg University placed #50 among the best-value General Biology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Wittenberg University
Related General Biology Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value General Biology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value General Biology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Biology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Biology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Biology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Biology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Biology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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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