Skip to main content

Biological and Biomedical Sciences Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

California State University-Bakersfield offers the lowest net cost nationwide for Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other programs at just $5,825 annually. This figure stands in stark contrast to programs costing nearly three times more at private institutions. The earnings data reveals a concerning pattern, with University of Puerto Rico at Ponce graduates earning only $12,221 annually while CSU-Bakersfield alumni command $27,440. The biotechnology sector across the United States employs over 1.8 million workers, creating demand for specialized biomedical professionals who can bridge laboratory research with clinical applications. Regional public universities dominate the affordable options, with California State institutions leading in both cost efficiency and graduate outcomes. Nevada State University represents the newest addition to this market, though its 31% graduation rate signals potential challenges for students. The $5,500 debt load at Puerto Rico institutions demonstrates how geography affects both educational costs and career prospects in the biomedical field.
45
Programs
$5,825 – $19,798
Net Price Range
$32,215
Avg. Program Earnings
57.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

45 Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
2 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
3 $7,455 $5,354 50.6% 54.0%
4 $8,142 $5,954 47.7% 76.8%
5 $8,783 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
6 $9,082 $8,179 45.4% 77.6%
7 $9,657 $6,284 31.4% 93.2%
8 $13,024 $6,360 43.6% 55.2%
9 $13,164 $9,412 68.5% 97.4%
10 $13,208 $6,368 31.0% 82.5%
11 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
12 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
13 $14,459 $29,790 54.8% 70.9%
14 $14,514 $7,992 29.6%
15 $14,582 $12,240 53.8% 76.4%
16 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
17 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
18 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
19 $15,342 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
20 $15,608 $64,862 87.5% 10.8%
21 $15,644 $8,771 53.5% 84.6%
22 $15,745 $10,314 38.7% 54.9%
23 $15,960 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
24 $16,041 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
25 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
26 $17,139 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
27 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
28 $17,760 $31,728 42.4%
29 $17,980 $8,676 40.9% 84.0%
30 $18,027 $37,860 53.2% 85.1%
31 $18,109 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
32 $18,244 $33,724 58.4% 79.9%
33 $18,251 $28,976 56.8% 94.4%
34 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
35 $18,486 $10,408 63.9% 67.9%
36 $18,661 $34,700 46.4% 79.8%
37 $18,675 $19,110 30.2% 69.9%
38 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
39 $18,730 $9,206 69.9% 69.5%
40 $18,740 $38,135 70.2% 89.6%
41 $19,155 $9,432 61.4% 99.5%
42 $19,428 $31,270 36.6% 75.3%
43 $19,614 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
44 $19,725 $9,633 49.3% 78.9%
45 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $21,615 earnings difference between the highest and lowest-paid graduates?

CSU-Bakersfield graduates earn $27,440 compared to $12,221 for University of Puerto Rico at Ponce alumni. Geographic location plays a major role, as mainland U.S. biomedical jobs typically offer higher salaries than those in Puerto Rico. The local job market and cost of living in each region directly impact starting salaries for new graduates.

How do California State University programs compare in affordability and outcomes?

CSU-Bakersfield costs $5,825 annually with a 49.3% graduation rate, while CSU-Fresno costs $6,480 with a stronger 54.8% graduation rate. San Jose State University charges $13,741 but delivers a 64.7% graduation rate, suggesting higher costs may correlate with better student support. All three maintain acceptance rates above 76%, making them accessible options for California residents.

Is the University of Mississippi worth the $13,164 annual cost?

The University of Mississippi delivers a 68.5% graduation rate, the highest among these affordable programs, despite costing more than many alternatives. Its 97.38% acceptance rate makes admission nearly guaranteed for qualified applicants. The combination of reasonable costs and strong completion rates positions it as a solid choice for out-of-state students seeking biomedical education.

Does attending a private nonprofit offer advantages over public alternatives?

Private options like Fresno Pacific University cost significantly more at $35,558 sticker price but offer financial aid bringing net costs to $14,317. Trevecca Nazarene University charges $29,790 with a net cost of $14,459 and maintains a 54.8% graduation rate. These institutions may provide smaller class sizes and more personalized attention, but public universities often deliver comparable outcomes at lower costs.

Where should students focus their applications for the best value?

California State University campuses offer the strongest combination of low costs and reasonable outcomes, with net prices under $14,000 and graduation rates above 49%. Students should avoid programs with graduation rates below 35%, as seen at Inter American University-Bayamon and University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon. Geographic preferences matter significantly given the wide earnings variation across different regions and local job markets.

More Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other Rankings

Cheapest Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other Best Value Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other

Related

All Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.