12 Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Programs
| # | School | Net Price | Program Earnings | In-State Tuition | Graduation Rate | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, California
|
$7,599 | $41,565 | $7,095 | 56.2% | 91.2% |
| 2 |
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, California
|
$5,646 | $24,140 | $7,073 | 69.2% | 66.7% |
| 3 |
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California
|
$12,882 | $41,342 | $7,424 | 50.1% | 94.2% |
| 4 |
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, California
|
$10,550 | $32,382 | $7,739 | 54.2% | 95.2% |
| 5 |
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, California
|
$13,707 | $33,993 | $14,170 | 76.6% | 68.7% |
| 6 |
University of California-Davis
Davis, California
|
$15,288 | $36,848 | $15,247 | 85.1% | 37.3% |
| 7 |
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, California
|
$14,979 | $33,637 | $14,850 | 92.9% | 11.3% |
| 8 |
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
|
$14,013 | $28,753 | $13,747 | 92.7% | 8.6% |
| 9 |
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California
|
$16,607 | $33,043 | $14,560 | 74.5% | 46.9% |
| 10 |
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
|
$13,825 | $25,194 | $14,965 | 85.3% | 25.9% |
| 11 |
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, California
|
$12,840 | $14,237 | 86.0% | 21.2% | |
| 12 |
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, California
|
$11,750 | $15,265 | 87.6% | 23.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What explains the $17,000 earnings gap between California cellular biology programs?
Cal State Fullerton graduates earn $24,140 annually while Cal State Northridge graduates earn $41,565, creating the largest earnings differential. Geographic factors play a role, as programs near major biotech centers often produce higher-earning graduates. The variation also reflects different career paths, from research positions to pharmaceutical industry roles.
How do UC schools compare to Cal State programs for cellular biology value?
UC schools average $14,000 in net costs compared to Cal State programs around $9,000, but offer higher graduation rates. UC Davis achieves 85.10% graduation with moderate debt of $12,000, while Cal State Northridge graduates 56.20% of students but with $19,349 average debt. The choice depends on balancing cost against completion likelihood.
Is the high acceptance rate at most California cellular biology programs misleading?
While schools like Cal State San Marcos accept 95.19% of applicants, only 54.20% actually graduate within six years. This pattern appears across most Cal State campuses, suggesting that admission accessibility doesn't guarantee program completion. UC schools with lower acceptance rates typically show much higher graduation rates.
Where do California's cellular biology graduates find the best job opportunities?
The San Francisco Bay Area hosts major biotech companies including Genentech, Gilead Sciences, and numerous startups requiring cellular biology expertise. Southern California offers opportunities with pharmaceutical giants like Amgen in Thousand Oaks and medical device companies. Academic medical centers throughout the state also hire cellular biology graduates for research positions.
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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.