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Biomathematics Colleges Under $20,000

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

UC San Diego delivers the strongest return on investment for computational biology students, with graduates earning $71,015 annually while paying just $11,750 net annually. This performance stands out in a field where program costs range from $4,783 at CUNY New York City College of Technology to $14,738 at top-tier institutions. The biotechnology corridor spanning California hosts multiple pharmaceutical companies and research institutes that actively recruit bioinformatics specialists, making the state's UC system particularly valuable for career placement. Students can access quality programs across dramatically different price points, with public institutions like Florida State University offering strong graduation rates of 83% at $10,997 net cost. The field combines mathematical modeling with biological data analysis, requiring both computational skills and scientific knowledge that these affordable programs deliver without the financial burden of private alternatives.
47
Programs
$4,783 – $19,988
Net Price Range
$68,412
Avg. Program Earnings
63.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

47 Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,783 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
2 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
3 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
4 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
5 $9,900 $8,379 46.6% 92.1%
6 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
7 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
8 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
9 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
10 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
11 $12,514 $8,634 47.8% 93.2%
12 $12,791 $8,370 47.5% 85.9%
13 $12,832 $7,388 44.7% 86.8%
14 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
15 $12,983 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
16 $12,997 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
17 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
18 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
19 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
20 $14,738 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
21 $15,265 $6,074 34.2%
22 $15,501 $9,815 62.9% 75.2%
23 $15,729 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
24 $15,960 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
25 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
26 $16,496 $19,022 73.1% 66.0%
27 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
28 $16,931 $16,080 78.8% 73.8%
29 $17,118 $8,152 45.4% 95.4%
30 $17,722 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
31 $17,727 $8,832 62.4% 86.7%
32 $17,760 $31,728 42.4%
33 $18,127 $60,300 91.9% 17.0%
34 $18,165 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
35 $18,251 $28,976 56.8% 94.4%
36 $18,285 $27,868 50.2% 95.2%
37 $18,322 $32,720 70.7% 77.7%
38 $18,328 $12,952 70.6% 80.6%
39 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
40 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
41 $18,803 $17,079 66.4% 76.5%
42 $19,335 $8,999 38.1% 86.5%
43 $19,353 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
44 $19,452 $16,458 65.4% 91.0%
45 $19,568 $13,494 70.6% 82.5%
46 $19,813 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
47 $19,988 $23,324 49.5% 98.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UC San Diego worth $11,750 annually for computational biology students?

UC San Diego graduates earn $71,015 annually with typical debt loads of just $18,000, creating an strong return on investment. The program maintains an 87.6% graduation rate while accepting only 23.71% of applicants. Located in La Jolla near major biotech companies like Illumina and Scripps Research, students gain access to internships and research opportunities that directly translate to career success.

How do public university costs compare to private options for bioinformatics programs?

Public institutions dominate the affordable market, with 13 of the 15 most affordable programs offered by state universities. CUNY New York City College of Technology leads at $4,783 net cost, while Christian Brothers University represents the lone private option at $10,896. The cost difference reflects state funding that subsidizes education, making computational biology accessible without compromising program quality.

Is a high acceptance rate a red flag for biomathematics program quality?

High acceptance rates often indicate access rather than low standards, particularly at public institutions serving regional students. Brigham Young University-Idaho accepts 95.56% of applicants yet maintains a solid 55.1% graduation rate at just $7,131 net cost. Florida State University demonstrates that selective programs can remain affordable, accepting only 25.04% while charging $10,997 annually.

Where can students find the most affordable computational biology programs?

The most affordable options cluster in public university systems across varied regions. CUNY New York City College of Technology offers the lowest cost at $4,783, followed by California State University-San Bernardino at $5,918. Eastern New Mexico University provides access at $6,199, proving that quality bioinformatics education exists nationwide without geographic limitations.

Does program selectivity correlate with graduation success in computational biology?

The most selective programs show consistently high graduation rates, with UNC Chapel Hill achieving 92.1% graduation while accepting just 17.11% of applicants. However, moderately selective institutions like Florida State University maintain strong 83% graduation rates with 25.04% acceptance. Even schools with higher acceptance rates like Cal State San Bernardino achieve respectable 54.7% graduation rates, suggesting student success depends on multiple factors beyond selectivity.

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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.