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New York's biological and physical sciences programs span a remarkable $52,913 gap between CUNY Hunter College's $2,446 net cost and the most expensive options exceeding $39,000. Hunter College stands out not just for affordability but also delivers a solid 61% graduation rate while maintaining selective 47.86% admissions. The state's finance and pharmaceutical sectors create strong demand for analytical skills these programs develop. Empire State University graduates earn $45,852 on average, the highest among affordable options, while Cornell achieves an outstanding 95.1% graduation rate. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with five SUNY schools offering net costs under $19,000. New York's biotech corridor along the Hudson River and major pharmaceutical companies in the metropolitan area provide ample internship and career opportunities for graduates.
17
Programs
$2,446 – $55,359
Net Price Range
$33,590
Avg. Program Earnings
69.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Biological and Physical Sciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $11,147 $7,630 29.3%
3 $15,644 $8,771 53.5% 84.6%
4 $18,430 $10,560 77.8% 49.1%
5 $21,344 $37,720 62.6% 88.6%
6 $21,547 $38,970 71.0% 78.3%
7 $22,701 $39,530 55.5% 50.6%
8 $23,735 $37,932 64.0% 96.0%
9 $23,901 $41,642 55.4% 92.7%
10 $28,348 $47,290 68.9% 72.8%
11 $31,771 $63,612 72.7% 46.1%
12 $32,337 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%
13 $35,035 $60,438 88.5% 12.5%
14 $36,000 $66,456 85.3% 46.5%
15 $39,253 $66,246 92.9% 8.8%
16 $42,581 $61,992 80.3% 54.1%
17 $55,359 $56,386 71.2% 57.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Hunter College such an outstanding value for biological sciences?

Hunter College offers the state's lowest net cost at $2,446 while maintaining strong academic standards with a 47.86% acceptance rate. The 61% graduation rate exceeds many schools charging ten times more. Students benefit from Manhattan's proximity to major research hospitals and pharmaceutical companies for internships and career opportunities.

How do public university costs compare to private options for these programs?

The five most affordable schools are all public institutions with net costs ranging from $2,446 to $18,430. Private colleges start at $21,344 and climb to over $39,000. Public options save students approximately $15,000-20,000 annually while often providing comparable graduation rates.

Does Empire State University justify its higher public school cost?

Empire State graduates earn $45,852 on average, the highest among all schools listed regardless of cost. However, the 29.3% graduation rate raises concerns about program completion. Students should weigh the potential for higher earnings against the significant risk of not graduating.

Where do biological sciences graduates find the best job opportunities in New York?

The New York metropolitan area hosts major pharmaceutical companies, research hospitals, and emerging biotech firms. Cornell's 95.1% graduation rate reflects strong industry connections, while schools near Albany benefit from the state's growing life sciences corridor. Entry-level earnings range from $21,781 to $45,852 depending on the program and location.

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