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Cheapest Biochemistry Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

CUNY City College delivers the nation's most affordable Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology program at just $3,486 net cost, while California State University-Los Angeles graduates earn starting salaries as low as $21,964. This striking earnings gap reveals the complex economics facing molecular science graduates entering a field where pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms increasingly concentrate in high-cost metropolitan areas. Public institutions dominate the most affordable options, with 13 of the 15 lowest-cost programs charging under $8,000 annually. The California State University system claims six spots in this ranking, reflecting the state's commitment to accessible science education despite housing the world's largest biotech industry. Graduation rates span from 32.8% at College of Staten Island to 69.2% at Cal State Fullerton, suggesting that affordability alone doesn't guarantee student success in these rigorous molecular science programs.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $11,729
Net Price Range
$32,253
Avg. Program Earnings
51.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
3 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
4 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
5 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
6 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
7 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
8 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
9 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
10 $6,276 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
11 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
12 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
13 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
14 $7,559 $6,920 31.1%
15 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
16 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
17 $8,130 $7,327 33.2% 88.9%
18 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
19 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
20 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
21 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
22 $9,082 $8,179 45.4% 77.6%
23 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
24 $9,900 $8,379 46.6% 92.1%
25 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
26 $10,044 $7,855 39.8% 72.8%
27 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
28 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
29 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
30 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
31 $10,555 $59,710 97.1% 5.7%
32 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
33 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
34 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
35 $10,898 $12,559 68.2% 88.1%
36 $10,904 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
37 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
38 $10,948 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
39 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
40 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
41 $11,180 $11,656 49.8% 75.6%
42 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
43 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
44 $11,289 $4,305 33.5%
45 $11,401 $8,280 37.7%
46 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
47 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
48 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
49 $11,653 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
50 $11,729 $10,920 46.3% 85.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $18,000 earnings difference between the lowest and highest-paid graduates?

California State University-San Bernardino graduates earn $39,648 compared to $21,964 at Cal State Los Angeles, reflecting regional job market variations. Coastal California biotech hubs typically offer higher starting salaries than inland areas. Geographic location often matters more than program prestige for entry-level molecular biology positions. Local industry concentration directly impacts graduate earning potential in this field.

How do CUNY schools compare on affordability and outcomes for molecular biology students?

CUNY City College offers the lowest net cost at $3,486 with a solid 54.7% graduation rate. College of Staten Island CUNY costs $5,115 but shows concerning outcomes with only 32.8% of students graduating. Both schools maintain reasonable acceptance rates above 60%, making them accessible options. The $1,600 cost difference between CUNY campuses suggests significant variation even within the same system.

Is Brigham Young University-Idaho a good value despite being private?

BYU-Idaho charges $7,131 net cost while maintaining a 55.1% graduation rate, making it competitive with public options. The school's unique $4,656 sticker price reflects LDS Church subsidies that benefit all students. Its 95.56% acceptance rate provides easy access to molecular science programs. However, the religious environment may not suit all students pursuing scientific careers.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in affordable molecular biology programs?

Eastern New Mexico University maintains the lowest acceptance rate at 27.55% but shows a disappointing 39.8% graduation rate. Meanwhile, Cal State Fresno accepts 95.43% of applicants yet achieves a 54.8% graduation rate. High selectivity doesn't guarantee better outcomes in affordable molecular science programs. Student support services often matter more than admission standards for program completion.

Where do California State University molecular biology graduates find the best job prospects?

Cal State Fullerton graduates earn $38,937 annually, the highest among CSU campuses in this ranking. The school's Orange County location provides access to biotech companies and medical device manufacturers. Cal State San Bernardino also shows strong earnings at $39,648 despite its inland location. These figures suggest that CSU programs successfully prepare students for California's competitive biotech job market.

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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.