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Best Value Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Harvard University breaks the traditional public school dominance in affordable Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences education, offering a net price of $16,816 while delivering the highest graduate earnings at $47,260. This rare private option sits alongside powerhouse public programs where California State University-Fullerton leads affordability at just $5,646 net cost. The West Coast concentration reflects the region's strength in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, with companies like Genentech, Amgen, and countless biotech startups creating steady demand for cellular biology graduates. Public universities capture most value positions, with UC system schools like Berkeley and UCLA combining reasonable costs around $14,000 with strong graduation rates exceeding 92%. The earnings spread from $24,140 to $47,260 reveals how institutional reputation and regional job markets shape post-graduation opportunities, while debt levels ranging from $12,000 to $24,234 show the financial reality of pursuing this foundational life sciences field.
50
Programs
$5,328 – $38,920
Net Price Range
$32,190
Avg. Program Earnings
66.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,599 $41,565 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
2 $8,896 $38,289 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
3 $5,646 $24,140 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $11,504 $38,289 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
5 $12,882 $41,342 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
6 $10,550 $32,382 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
7 $13,339 $38,289 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
8 $16,816 $47,260 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
9 $14,059 $38,289 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
10 $13,707 $33,993 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
11 $13,485 $33,216 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
12 $15,288 $36,848 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
13 $14,979 $33,637 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
14 $14,013 $28,753 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
15 $17,139 $35,060 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
16 $17,096 $34,526 $14,628 68.6% 90.4%
17 $16,607 $33,043 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
18 $13,825 $25,194 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
19 $15,201 $27,181 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
20 $19,899 $34,704 $16,408 71.0% 76.4%
21 $15,960 $27,494 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
22 $21,924 $37,208 $58,554 67.2% 65.9%
23 $22,886 $38,289 $20,366 83.8% 54.5%
24 $18,680 $31,133 $9,286 65.5% 92.7%
25 $18,464 $28,598 $14,318 64.5% 80.7%
26 $20,593 $30,891 $8,083 57.3% 73.3%
27 $17,502 $26,187 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
28 $14,832 $21,850 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
29 $18,996 $26,896 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
30 $21,480 $28,870 $16,430 75.0% 80.7%
31 $18,161 $22,192 $63,340 94.6% 7.3%
32 $27,818 $31,305 $64,700 96.3% 4.6%
33 $34,454 $36,848 $65,805 95.8% 6.4%
34 $28,690 $28,960 $33,150 53.4% 95.7%
35 $21,364 $21,508 $10,363 83.6% 41.8%
36 $38,920 $37,568 $59,900 67.9% 82.7%
37 $23,519 $19,227 $17,239 85.0% 66.3%
38 $11,800 $7,513 37.2% 99.5%
39 $21,423 $25,900 55.2% 96.0%
40 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
41 $21,556 $33,586 64.2% 70.4%
42 $25,544 $28,185 71.4% 88.1%
43 $20,413 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
44 $13,347 $8,122 48.6% 85.5%
45 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
46 $19,983 $20,796 61.4%
47 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
48 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
49 $30,092 $38,140 60.4% 91.4%
50 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Harvard's appearance among these affordable cellular biology programs?

Harvard's $16,816 net price reflects substantial financial aid that reduces the $59,076 sticker price for most students. The program delivers $47,260 in graduate earnings, creating strong return on investment despite higher absolute costs. With a 97.3% graduation rate and 3.24% acceptance rate, Harvard represents the premium option among otherwise public-dominated affordable programs.

How do California State University programs compare to UC system schools?

CSU schools like Fullerton ($5,646) and Northridge ($7,599) offer the lowest net costs but generate more modest earnings around $24,140-$41,565. UC schools cost roughly $13,000-$15,000 but deliver stronger outcomes, with Berkeley achieving 92.9% graduation rates and Davis reaching 85.1%. The CSU system prioritizes accessibility while UC schools balance affordability with research opportunities.

Is the University of Connecticut worth attending across multiple campuses?

UConn's regional campuses in Waterbury, Hartford, Groton, and Stamford all share identical earnings data at $38,289 with $24,234 debt levels. Net costs range from $8,896 to $14,059 across locations, with Hartford showing the strongest 65.4% graduation rate. The distributed campus model allows students to choose locations while accessing the same degree value.

Does geographic location significantly impact cellular biology career earnings?

West Coast programs consistently show strong earnings despite varying costs, with San Francisco State delivering $41,342 and UC Riverside reaching $33,993. The Pacific Northwest also performs well, as University of Washington graduates earn $33,216 with just $13,530 in debt. These regions benefit from concentrated biotechnology industries that actively recruit cellular biology graduates.

Where can students find the best debt-to-earnings ratio in cellular biology?

UC Davis offers the optimal balance with $36,848 earnings against just $12,000 in debt, creating a 3:1 earnings-to-debt ratio. UC Berkeley follows closely with $33,637 earnings and $13,450 debt, while University of Washington provides $33,216 earnings with $13,530 debt. These programs demonstrate how strong public research universities can minimize financial burden while maximizing career outcomes.

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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.