Cheapest Biochemistry Colleges in Texas

Rice University delivers an unusual bargain in biochemistry education, charging just $12,640 in net costs despite its $58,128 sticker price through generous financial aid packages. This creates a striking contrast with public alternatives like UT El Paso at $10,726, where nearly 100% of applicants gain admission compared to Rice's selective 8.68% acceptance rate. Texas offers fertile ground for biochemistry graduates, with Houston's Texas Medical Center serving as the world's largest medical complex and employing thousands of research scientists. The earnings gap tells an interesting story across programs, ranging from $24,421 at both UT El Paso and Rice to $40,512 at Texas State University. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 12 of the 15 most budget-friendly programs coming from state institutions. The Texas healthcare workforce ranks second nationally, creating steady demand for biochemistry professionals at major employers including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, and HCA Healthcare facilities throughout the state.

Programs

$10,726 – $41,942

Net Price Range

$31,976

Avg. Program Earnings

58.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

38 Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas	$10,726	$9,744	45.9%	99.9%
2	Texas Woman's University Denton, Texas	$10,948	$8,648	44.2%	93.6%
3	The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas	$11,234	$8,991	51.2%	86.9%
4	Lamar University Beaumont, Texas	$11,429	$8,690	37.2%	83.7%
5	Rice University Houston, Texas	$12,640	$58,128	95.7%	8.7%
6	University of Houston Houston, Texas	$13,853	$9,711	64.9%	66.2%
7	The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, Texas	$13,931	$9,920	46.8%	93.9%
8	University of North Texas Denton, Texas	$14,352	$11,164	59.6%	79.1%
9	Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, Texas	$15,152	$10,600	51.7%	89.5%
10	The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas	$15,235	$11,728	56.5%	80.8%
11	Texas State University San Marcos, Texas	$16,438	$11,450	56.2%	87.7%
12	The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, Texas	$17,435	$14,564	70.8%	84.7%
13	Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, Texas	$17,760	$31,728	42.4%
14	University of St Thomas Houston, Texas	$18,762	$33,660	68.6%	96.7%
15	Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth, Texas	$19,398	$37,934	32.4%	60.9%
16	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
17	Houston Christian University Houston, Texas	$19,710	$38,100	49.8%	84.5%
18	McMurry University Abilene, Texas	$19,988	$31,372	38.6%	56.5%
19	Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas	$20,071	$11,852	67.5%	67.3%
20	Schreiner University Kerrville, Texas	$20,410	$37,396	43.7%	85.2%
21	University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, Texas	$20,498	$35,660	51.8%	94.2%
22	Wayland Baptist University Plainview, Texas	$20,540	$23,186	19.2%	69.7%
23	Southwestern Adventist University Keene, Texas	$20,581	$24,588	41.1%	53.6%
24	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
25	Hardin-Simmons University Abilene, Texas	$21,031	$31,686	49.6%	88.3%
26	St. Mary's University San Antonio, Texas	$21,352	$36,242	58.8%	86.2%
27	Austin College Sherman, Texas	$23,451	$46,500	69.5%	54.4%
28	Saint Edward's University Austin, Texas	$23,636	$51,384	64.2%	85.1%
29	Trinity University San Antonio, Texas	$23,650	$51,352	81.9%	30.5%
30	East Texas Baptist University Marshall, Texas	$23,790	$30,050	48.0%	67.7%
31	University of Dallas Irving, Texas	$25,470	$50,880	68.0%	58.7%
32	Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, Texas	$25,910	$27,298	48.7%	81.6%
33	Abilene Christian University Abilene, Texas	$27,401	$42,380	60.2%	65.8%
34	Southwestern University Georgetown, Texas	$27,468	$51,058	69.3%	44.8%
35	University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Belton, Texas	$28,690	$33,150	53.4%	95.7%
36	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas	$33,531	$57,220	85.6%	56.1%
37	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$41,778	$64,460	83.3%	52.3%
38	Baylor University Waco, Texas	$41,942	$54,844	80.2%	45.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Rice University affordable despite its high sticker price?

Rice University costs just $12,640 in net expenses for biochemistry students despite listing tuition at $58,128. The university provides substantial financial aid packages that reduce actual costs below many public universities. Rice graduates also carry minimal debt loads averaging $7,500 compared to $19,000-$22,000 at most public alternatives. The 95.7% graduation rate demonstrates strong student success outcomes.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable biochemistry programs?

Graduation rates span from 32.4% at Texas Wesleyan University to 95.7% at Rice University among affordable options. Most public universities fall between 40-65%, with UT Dallas performing well at 70.8%. Lamar University shows the lowest public university rate at 37.2%. These differences often correlate with admission selectivity and student support resources.

Is there a significant earnings difference between programs?

Early career earnings range from $24,421 to $40,512 among Texas biochemistry programs with available data. Texas State University graduates earn $40,512 annually, significantly outpacing UT Dallas graduates at $32,467 despite higher program costs. Surprisingly, Rice University and UT El Paso both report $24,421 in early earnings. University of Houston falls in the middle at $28,598 with strong job placement in the Texas Medical Center.

Does admission difficulty affect program affordability?

Admission rates vary dramatically from Rice University's selective 8.68% to UT El Paso's open 99.92% acceptance policy. Most affordable public programs accept 80-95% of applicants, making biochemistry education accessible to varied student populations. Texas Wesleyan University maintains moderate selectivity at 60.93% among private options. Higher selectivity often correlates with better graduation outcomes but not necessarily lower costs.

Where do most affordable biochemistry programs cluster geographically?

Houston and San Antonio each host three affordable biochemistry programs, benefiting from proximity to major medical centers and research facilities. The Dallas-Fort Worth area offers two options through UT Dallas and Texas Wesleyan University. Smaller cities like Tyler, Nacogdoches, and Beaumont provide budget-friendly alternatives with lower living costs. Geographic distribution ensures access to biochemistry education across Texas's varied regions.

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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.