Biological/Biosystems Engineering Colleges Under $20,000

Biological and biosystems engineering programs under $20,000 reveal sharp cost differences across flagship universities. University of Florida leads at just $6,351 net cost while University of Missouri-Columbia reaches $19,889, creating a $13,538 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options. Arizona graduates command the highest starting salaries at $63,005, reflecting strong demand from agricultural technology companies and biotechnology firms expanding across the Southwest and Mountain regions. The 11 qualifying programs span acceptance rates from University of Florida's selective 23.35% to Utah State's open 93.73%, offering pathways for students with varying academic profiles.

Programs

$6,351 – $19,889

Net Price Range

$47,587

Avg. Program Earnings

73.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Biological/Biosystems Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
2	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
3	Utah State University Logan, Utah	$12,869	$9,228	57.3%	93.7%
4	Oakland University Rochester Hills, Michigan	$13,584	$14,694	56.9%	90.1%
5	University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho	$13,782	$8,816	60.9%	73.9%
6	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
7	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
8	University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona	$15,960	$13,626	65.9%	86.8%
9	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
10	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas	$17,525	$9,748	70.0%	78.9%
11	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	$19,889	$14,130	76.2%	79.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $45,000 salary gap between Arizona and Arkansas graduates?

University of Arizona graduates earn $63,005 compared to Arkansas graduates at $41,565, reflecting regional job market differences. Arizona's proximity to biotechnology hubs and agricultural innovation centers drives higher compensation, while Arkansas focuses more on traditional agricultural applications with lower starting wages.

How competitive are the highest-value programs for admission?

University of Florida and UC San Diego, the two lowest-cost options at $6,351 and $11,750, accept only 23.35% and 23.71% of applicants respectively. These selective programs contrast with Utah State's 93.73% acceptance rate, offering nearly guaranteed admission at $12,869 net cost.

Is student debt manageable across these programs?

Average debt ranges from Utah State's low $12,946 to Missouri's $23,000, with most programs keeping graduates under $21,500 in loans. The relatively modest debt loads reflect strong in-state tuition rates and the practical, industry-focused nature of engineering programs.

Does graduation rate correlate with program selectivity?

The most selective schools show the highest completion rates, with University of Florida at 91.50% and UC San Diego at 87.60%. However, more accessible programs like Utah State achieve only 57.30% graduation rates, suggesting academic preparation significantly impacts student success.

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