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Cheapest Biology Colleges

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

St Petersburg College breaks the mold with a negative net price of $-52 for Biology majors, meaning students receive more in aid than the college charges for attendance. This Florida community college represents one extreme in a field where costs range from below zero to over $5,000 annually. The earnings gap tells another story entirely, with graduates from these affordable programs earning between $17,745 and $39,009, reflecting the varied career paths biology degrees enable. Florida leads this affordability ranking with multiple institutions, capitalizing on the state's growing biotech sector and pharmaceutical research facilities that employ entry-level biology graduates. Texas A&M University-Central Texas follows at just $1,113 net cost, while New York's CUNY system dominates the middle range with five schools between $2,446 and $3,830. These programs serve students who understand that biology education quality doesn't require premium pricing, especially when considering that 95% of applicants gain admission to Texas A&M-Central Texas while Hunter College maintains selectivity at 48% acceptance.
50
Programs
$-52 – $7,237
Net Price Range
$27,351
Avg. Program Earnings
42.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
3 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
4 $2,760 $2,878 32.4%
5 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
6 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
7 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
8 $3,307 $4,250 19.7%
9 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
10 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
11 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
12 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
13 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
14 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
15 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
16 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
17 $4,694 $3,283 29.6%
18 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
19 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
20 $5,090 $3,105 14.3%
21 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
22 $5,202 $2,764 42.5%
23 $5,216 $6,400 32.6%
24 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
25 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
26 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
27 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
28 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
29 $5,881 $7,352 22.3% 87.7%
30 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
31 $5,929 $2,838 44.7%
32 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
33 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
34 $6,007 $7,001 25.6% 45.0%
35 $6,061 $3,195 29.1% 67.0%
36 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
37 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
38 $6,276 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
39 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
40 $6,352 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
41 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
42 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
43 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
44 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
45 $6,602 $37,143 26.3% 83.0%
46 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
47 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
48 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
49 $7,233 $6,960 31.0% 62.7%
50 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains St Petersburg College's negative net cost for Biology majors?

St Petersburg College offers financial aid packages that exceed the total cost of attendance, resulting in students receiving $52 more than they pay. This community college charges $2,682 in-state tuition but provides generous federal and state grants to eligible students. The negative net price reflects Florida's commitment to making higher education accessible through programs like Bright Futures scholarships. Biology graduates from this program earn an average of $33,565, making it one of the highest-earning options among the most affordable schools.

How do CUNY schools compare in terms of graduate earnings potential?

The five CUNY schools on this list show significant variation in graduate earnings despite similar costs. Hunter College leads with graduates earning $26,353, followed closely by Brooklyn College at $27,947. City College graduates earn notably less at $20,140, while Queens College falls in the middle at $23,649. These differences reflect the varying strengths of each campus and their connections to New York's biotechnology and healthcare sectors.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality among these affordable options?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically, from Berea College's selective 25% to Texas A&M-Central Texas's open 96% admission rate. Hunter College maintains moderate selectivity at 48% while still keeping costs low at $2,446 net price. Interestingly, some of the most accessible schools like California State University-Los Angeles with 87% acceptance still produce graduates earning $32,391. This suggests that affordability and quality can coexist across different admission standards.

Where do Biology graduates from these programs typically find employment?

Graduates from these affordable programs enter varied fields including healthcare support, research assistance, and laboratory technology roles. Florida schools benefit from the state's pharmaceutical and agricultural research sectors, while CUNY graduates often work in New York's hospitals and biotech companies. Texas graduates frequently find positions in the state's growing life sciences industry and agricultural research facilities. Starting salaries range from $17,745 to $39,009, with many graduates using these positions as stepping stones to advanced degrees.

Is Berea College's $4,483 net cost justified given its high sticker price?

Berea College charges $49,326 in tuition but reduces student costs to just $4,483 through its unique work-study program and need-based aid. The college requires all students to work on campus, providing valuable experience while offsetting educational costs. With a 62% graduation rate and highly selective 25% acceptance rate, Berea offers a liberal arts approach to biology education. This model produces graduates earning $20,687, which is competitive considering the school's mission to serve low-income students.

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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.