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Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Colleges Under $20,000

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

California community colleges deliver the nation's most affordable biology technician training at just $3,869 net cost at Solano Community College and $7,178 at MiraCosta College. These programs prepare graduates for pharmaceutical manufacturing labs and biotech companies concentrated along the West Coast, where the industry employs over 300,000 workers. Private colleges like College of Saint Mary charge four times more at $14,986, though graduation rates climb from 34% at the cheapest schools to 59% at mid-priced options.
8
Programs
$3,869 – $19,988
Net Price Range
$41,193
Avg. Program Earnings
47.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,869 $1,172 33.8%
2 $7,178 $1,152 41.1%
3 $13,884 $6,438 54.4% 34.2%
4 $14,986 $23,340 59.4% 64.6%
5 $15,745 $10,314 38.7% 54.9%
6 $16,065 $12,613 48.9% 85.3%
7 $18,027 $37,860 53.2% 85.1%
8 $19,988 $23,324 49.5% 98.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Public community colleges charge $3,869 to $7,178 while private institutions reach $19,988 at Davenport University. California's community college system offers the lowest net costs nationally, with in-state tuition under $1,200. Private colleges include housing and full support services that drive up the total price.

How do graduation rates vary across different price points for biotechnology programs?

The cheapest programs show graduation rates from 34% to 41%, while mid-tier schools like College of Saint Mary achieve 59%. Brigham Young University-Hawaii balances affordability at $13,884 with a solid 54% graduation rate. Higher-priced programs typically offer more student support services that help retention.

Where do biology technician graduates find the best job opportunities?

California leads in biotech employment with companies like Genentech and Gilead Sciences hiring lab technicians at $41,193 median salary. Ohio's medical device industry around Cleveland provides steady demand for biotechnology graduates. The pharmaceutical corridor from Boston to New Jersey also offers strong entry-level opportunities for program completers.

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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.