Skip to main content

Cheapest Biology Colleges in California

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

California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers biology education at just $3,659 net cost, making it the most affordable option among the state's programs. The $9,223 gap between the cheapest and most expensive CSU campus highlights how location drives costs even within the same system. California State University-East Bay graduates command the highest starting salaries at $41,261, nearly double what Dominguez Hills graduates earn initially. The state's biotech sector, anchored by companies like Genentech and Amgen, creates steady demand for biology graduates across research, pharmaceuticals, and medical device manufacturing. Most programs cluster between $5,000-$11,000 net cost, with only San Diego Christian College breaking the pattern as a private institution. The Cal Grant program covers full tuition at CSU campuses for eligible students, explaining why net costs often fall below published tuition rates. Graduation rates span from 23.5% to 69.9%, suggesting program quality and student support vary significantly across institutions.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $27,789
Net Price Range
$29,842
Avg. Program Earnings
65.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
6 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
7 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
8 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
9 $7,871 $26,300 23.5%
10 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
11 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
12 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
13 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
14 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
15 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
16 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
17 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
18 $12,744 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
19 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
20 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
21 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
22 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
23 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
24 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
25 $13,825 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
26 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
27 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
28 $14,487 $7,437 63.2% 92.4%
29 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
30 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
31 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
32 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
33 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
34 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
35 $18,902 $63,255 93.2% 2.7%
36 $19,424 $62,326 93.2% 7.0%
37 $19,761 $39,950 55.9% 74.8%
38 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
39 $20,979 $35,214 51.5% 48.5%
40 $22,867 $57,614 70.7% 81.9%
41 $25,009 $48,132 53.4% 75.8%
42 $25,300 $37,150 60.7% 65.9%
43 $25,321 $13,160 8.8%
44 $25,926 $55,340 67.8% 93.2%
45 $26,217 $35,910 68.1% 91.9%
46 $26,433 $50,670 74.0% 87.2%
47 $26,925 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
48 $27,384 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
49 $27,384 $64,150 95.2% 10.4%
50 $27,789 $18,933 50.0% 80.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Dominguez Hills so affordable for biology students?

CSU-Dominguez Hills offers the lowest net cost at $3,659, significantly below its $7,064 in-state tuition rate. The campus serves a high percentage of Cal Grant recipients, which covers full tuition for qualifying students. Its location in Carson provides access to Los Angeles-area internships without the premium costs of campuses closer to Silicon Valley biotech corridors.

How do earnings compare between the most and least expensive programs?

CSU-East Bay graduates earn $41,261 despite the campus ranking 14th in affordability at $11,276 net cost. Meanwhile, CSU-Dominguez Hills graduates start at $26,739, creating a $14,522 salary gap. CSU-San Marcos graduates earn $35,600 with a mid-range net cost of $10,550, suggesting location and program strength influence both costs and outcomes.

Where do California biology graduates typically find employment?

California's biotech industry employs thousands in the Bay Area, with companies like Genentech, Gilead Sciences, and numerous startups. Pharmaceutical giants including Amgen maintain major research facilities throughout the state. The aerospace sector, led by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman, also hires biology graduates for life sciences research and environmental monitoring roles.

Is there a significant difference in graduation rates among these programs?

Graduation rates range dramatically from 23.5% at San Diego Christian College to 69.9% at CSU-Long Beach. CSU-Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona both achieve graduation rates near 67-69%, while most other CSU campuses fall between 45-58%. The 46-point spread suggests substantial differences in student support, academic preparation, and program resources.

Does attending a more selective program guarantee better outcomes?

CSU-Long Beach maintains the lowest acceptance rate at 39.95% and achieves a 69.9% graduation rate with $28,381 starting salaries. However, Cal Poly Pomona accepts 55.38% of applicants while delivering similar graduation rates at 66.7%. CSU-East Bay accepts 96.20% of students yet produces the highest-earning graduates at $41,261, demonstrating that selectivity alone doesn't determine success.

More Biology, General Rankings

Best Value Biology, General in California Biology, General Under $20,000 in California

Related

All Biology, General Programs Best Colleges in California Best Biology, General in California

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