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Stanford and Johns Hopkins appear alongside CUNY Hunter College on the same affordability list, creating an unusual spectrum where net costs range from $2,446 to $18,748 for Human Biology programs. This reflects the power of need-based aid at elite institutions, where students from qualifying families can access world-well-known medical research facilities for less than many state schools charge. Public universities dominate the middle tier, with schools like UC Irvine ($12,840) and University of Washington ($13,485) offering strong pre-med pathways. The national biotech and pharmaceutical industries, concentrated in California, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, increasingly recruit Human Biology graduates for research roles, with early-career salaries ranging from $28,598 to $34,526. California schools claim three spots in this affordable range, reflecting the state's commitment to accessible education in life sciences fields that feed its massive biotech sector.
16
Programs
$2,446 – $18,748
Net Price Range
$31,810
Avg. Program Earnings
69.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Human Biology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
3 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
4 $12,820 $27,150 70.0% 55.7%
5 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
6 $12,878 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
7 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
8 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
9 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
10 $14,986 $23,340 59.4% 64.6%
11 $15,729 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
12 $17,365 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
13 $18,161 $63,340 94.6% 7.3%
14 $18,467 $28,360 48.8% 80.1%
15 $18,486 $10,408 63.9% 67.9%
16 $18,748 $36,136 55.8% 76.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

How do elite private schools like Stanford compete with public options on cost?

Stanford's net cost of $12,136 makes it more affordable than many state schools thanks to generous need-based aid. Students from families earning under $150,000 typically pay nothing for tuition, bringing costs below schools like University of Kansas ($17,365). Johns Hopkins follows a similar model at $18,161 net cost despite a $63,340 sticker price. These elite programs offer direct pipelines to top medical schools and research opportunities.

What explains the wide graduation rate gap between similar-cost schools?

Schools charging similar amounts show dramatically different outcomes, from UC Irvine's 86% graduation rate to Saint Leo University's 48.8%. Both have net costs around $13,000-$18,000, but academic rigor and student support vary significantly. Stanford and Johns Hopkins maintain graduation rates above 94%, while regional options like University of Wisconsin-Green Bay achieve 53.1%. Student preparedness and institutional resources drive these differences more than cost.

Does geographic location affect Human Biology career prospects and earnings?

California graduates from UCLA earn an average of $32,925 early in their careers, reflecting the state's biotech industry demand. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay graduates earn $31,189, showing that Midwest opportunities in healthcare and research can compete with coastal markets. University of Kansas graduates start at $28,598, but lower living costs in Kansas make this comparable to higher coastal salaries. Location matters less than program quality and internship connections.

Where can students find the best value combining low debt and strong outcomes?

CUNY Hunter College delivers strong value with just $11,250 average debt and a net cost of $2,446, though its 61% graduation rate requires careful consideration. UC Irvine combines an 86% graduation rate with $20,900 debt and strong California biotech connections. University of Washington offers $17,594 debt with an 83.7% graduation rate and access to Seattle's growing life sciences sector. These schools balance affordability with career preparation effectively.

More Human Biology Rankings

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